HND admissions in polytechnics will now be handled by JAMB — NBTE

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will take over the processing of Higher National Diploma admissions in polytechnics and other affected institutions.

The new arrangement will cover polytechnics, allied institutions, colleges of nursing sciences and colleges of health technology, with the aim of centralising the admission process.

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

The move followed a meeting involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and representatives of JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the NBTE, the centralised system is also intended to prevent irregular admissions that could affect graduates’ eligibility for NYSC mobilisation after completing their HND programmes.

Bugaje said the move was aimed at ensuring a centralised admission process and curbing “illegal and compromised admissions”.

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It reads, “All HND admissions in all institutions shall, from this session, be taken over by JAMB to provide a centralised process and avoid illegal and compromised admissions, jeopardising students’ mobilisation for NYSC after HND. The FME shall issue a statement on this next week with further details.

“NBTE shall immediately develop HND Admission Guidelines and submit to JAMB to guide the digital platform for the admission, including the waiting period for ND holders before proceeding to HND and exemption for certain ND Health-related programs.”

The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to issue further details on the new arrangement next week, while the NBTE will prepare guidelines to support JAMB’s digital platform for HND admissions.

The guidelines will also address the required waiting period for National Diploma holders before progressing to HND and exemptions applicable to certain ND health-related programmes.