The directive was contained in a circular dated September 9, 2026, signed by the NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, and addressed to rectors and provosts of the affected institutions.
According to the NBTE, the decision followed a meeting involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education.
The board said the move was designed to create a centralised admission system and prevent what it described as illegal and compromised admissions that could affect students’ eligibility for NYSC mobilisation after completing their HND programmes.
The NBTE stated that it would develop HND Admission Guidelines and submit them to JAMB. The guidelines are expected to address issues including the waiting period for National Diploma (ND) holders before progressing to HND and exemptions involving certain ND health-related programmes.
JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the examination body would comply with the directive, saying the board would work to achieve the government’s objectives.
The circular also addressed part-time admissions. With part-time ND admissions already placed under JAMB, NBTE said the number of part-time students in an institution would be limited to 50 per cent of its approved full-time admission quota.
The NBTE also reaffirmed its September 7 directive concerning candidates holding NCE and HND combinations. Under the directive, NCE holders seeking HND admission must obtain a valid ND before progressing to an HND programme.
The board further stated that, in such cases, only ND and HND certificates would be recognised for NYSC mobilisation, while NCE/HND combinations would not be presented for mobilisation.
NBTE also said the Minister of Education would review the list of ND agriculture-related programmes whose candidates are currently exempted from the written Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with the possibility of extending the exemption to other programmes.
The board directed the Committee of Heads of Nigerian Polytechnics and Similar Institutions to contribute to the review, alongside a formal submission from NBTE.
All rectors and provosts were warned to ensure strict compliance with the new requirements. The circular stated that violations could lead to regulatory sanctions, including withdrawal of an institution’s operational licence.
The NBTE also disclosed that the Minister of Education had approved the resolution of outstanding cases involving legally admitted ND part-time and HND full-time students, with the aim of ensuring their mobilisation for NYSC as soon as possible.
The board said the centralised system would also ensure that admissions are offered only for accredited programmes and within approved institutional carrying capacities.
The new NBTE HND admissions policy is expected to make the admission process more centralised and digitally monitored, while reducing opportunities for unapproved or irregular admissions.
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