JAMB Will Now Handle All HND Admissions in Polytechnics — NBTE

The National Board for Technical Education has transferred the responsibility for admissions into Higher National Diploma programmes to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

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The policy affects polytechnics, allied institutions as well as colleges of nursing sciences and health technology, with the NBTE saying the measure is intended to bring greater control and transparency to the admission process.

The NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof Idris Bugaje, disclosed the decision in a circular dated September 9, 2026, sent to rectors and provosts of the affected institutions.

The directive followed consultations involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, JAMB, NBTE, the National Youth Service Corps and the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the board, the centralised system is expected to check unauthorised admissions and prevent complications that could deny qualified graduates mobilisation for the NYSC scheme.

JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board would implement the directive, stressing that its responsibility was to ensure the government’s objective was achieved.

The NBTE will formulate admission guidelines for the new arrangement, covering issues such as the period ND graduates must wait before entering HND programmes and exemptions for selected health-related courses.

The board also maintained that holders of NCE qualifications who intend to pursue HND programmes must first secure valid ND qualifications through the approved admission process. Only recognised ND and HND certificates will qualify such candidates for NYSC mobilisation.

Meanwhile, institutions have been directed to admit students only into accredited programmes and within their approved carrying capacities. The NBTE warned that breaches could result in sanctions, including withdrawal of an institution’s operating licence.

The board also said steps had been approved to resolve outstanding cases involving eligible ND part-time and HND full-time students, with the aim of allowing affected graduates to participate in NYSC mobilisation.