ABUJA: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will now oversee all Higher National Diploma admissions in polytechnics, allied institutions, colleges of nursing sciences and colleges of health technology across Nigeria.
The National Board for Technical Education disclosed this in a circular dated September 9, 2026, addressed to rectors and provosts of affected institutions.
The circular, signed by the NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, stated that the policy would take effect from the current academic session.
According to the board, the decision followed a meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and key stakeholders, including JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps, NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education.
NBTE said the centralised admission process was introduced to prevent illegal and compromised admissions, as well as resolve challenges affecting graduates’ for NYSC mobilisation after completing their HND programmes.
The circular stated: 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 Federal Ministry of Education is expected to issue additional details on the new admission arrangement.
NBTE also directed its officials to develop comprehensive HND admission guidelines and submit them to JAMB. The guidelines are expected to cover the digital admission process, the required waiting period for National Diploma holders before progressing to HND, and possible exemptions for certain ND health-related programmes.
JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board would comply with the directive.
He said the decision was a directive from the government and that JAMB would implement it to achieve the policy’s objectives.
The NBTE circular also addressed part-time National Diploma admissions.
It stated that, since all part-time ND admissions are now to be processed through JAMB, the number of part-time students admitted by each institution must not exceed 50 per cent of its approved full-time admission quota.
The board warned institutions to comply with the approved admission limits and offer admissions only in accredited programmes and within their authorised carrying capacities.
NBTE also reaffirmed its earlier directive prohibiting the presentation of candidates with combined NCE and HND qualifications for NYSC mobilisation.
Under the new arrangement, holders of the Nigeria Certificate in Education who wish to study for an HND must obtain admission through JAMB and first earn a valid ND qualification before proceeding to the HND level.
For NYSC purposes, only the ND and HND certificates will be recognised in such cases.
The board further disclosed that the Minister of Education would review the list of ND agriculture-related programmes whose applicants are exempted from taking the written Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
NBTE is expected to submit recommendations, while the Committee of Heads of Nigerian Polytechnics and Similar Institutions will provide input on the proposed review.
NBTE directed all rectors and provosts to ensure strict compliance with the new admission policy.
It warned that institutions that violate the directive could face regulatory sanctions, including the withdrawal of their operational licences.
The board also said the minister had approved the resolution of outstanding cases involving legally admitted ND part-time and HND full-time students. The move is intended to facilitate their NYSC mobilisation as soon as possible.
According to NBTE, the digitisation of HND admissions will make it easier to track admissions, protect students and eliminate illegal placements.
With digitisation, there shall be no hiding place for illegal admissions,” the board stated.
