By Daniel Edu
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has introduced an online program allowing holders of Higher National Diplomas (HND) to convert their certifications into Bachelor’s Degrees. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with foreign accredited universities, enables HND holders to upgrade their qualifications through a one-year online top-up program.
In a statement by the Head of Media Unit at NBTE, Fatima Abubakar, it was revealed that this initiative not only facilitates the elevation of HND holders to higher degrees but also addresses the challenges they face in furthering their education due to certain restrictions.
The program aims to rectify the situation where HND holders often have to pursue a one-year Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) before they are eligible for a Master’s program in universities. The NBTE’s initiative provides a more direct pathway for HND holders to achieve higher qualifications without the need for an additional PGD.
The online conversion program is intended to align with the technical and vocational fields covered by the NBTE. The steps for HND holders to convert their certifications to a B.Sc degree through this program are as follows:
1. Hold an HND certificate from a recognized and approved polytechnic or monotechnic.
2. Visit the admission portal at https://admission.topup.nbte.gov.ng and log in if you have an existing account.
3. Provide your HND-related details during account creation.
4. After creating an account, proceed to submit a new application.
5. Select a university program that aligns with NBTE’s technical and vocational fields.
6. Choose the institute you want to study at, view program fees, and access details about the institute.
7. Submit the application form with the associated fee (USD 100) for admission processing.
8. Download the fee receipt from the payments tab.
9. Once the university approves your admission, download the admission letter from the “my application” section.
This program offers a promising opportunity for HND holders to further their education and enhance their qualifications without the need for additional PGD programs, potentially opening up new avenues for career development and opportunities.
