JAMB to Take Over All HND Admissions in Nigerian Polytechnics: What Students Must Know

In a major policy shift within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will henceforth manage all Higher National Diploma (HND) admissions across polytechnics, allied institutions, and colleges of nursing and health technology nationwide.

This directive was formally communicated in a circular dated September 9, 2026, signed by the Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, and distributed to rectors and provosts of all affected institutions.

The move follows high-level deliberations involving key government stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, representatives from JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), and the NBTE.

Why Is JAMB Taking Over HND Admissions?

According to the NBTE, centralising the admission process through a single digital platform is essential to ending systemic flaws in polytechnic admissions.

1. Curbing “Illegal and Compromised” Admissions

For years, individual polytechnics managed their HND admission exercises independently. This decentralized setup led to issues with institutions exceeding their approved carrying capacities or offering admissions into unaccredited courses, leaving students stranded upon graduation.

2. Safeguarding NYSC Mobilisation

Unapproved or irregular admissions frequently created bottlenecks during NYSC registration, leaving eligible HND graduates unable to serve. Centralising admissions through JAMB ensures that only candidates admitted through valid, accredited channels are cleared for NYSC mobilisation.

3. Digitisation and Regulatory Oversight

By channeling all admissions through JAMB’s digital framework, the NBTE intends to enforce strict regulatory compliance. Institutions that attempt to bypass this process risk severe regulatory penalties, including the potential withdrawal of their operational licences.

Key Policy Highlights & Admission Rules

The circular introduces several crucial guidelines that students, applicants, and institutional heads must adhere to moving forward:

• Digital Guidelines: The NBTE is developing structured HND admission guidelines for JAMB to integrate into its digital platform. This includes enforcing mandatory waiting periods for National Diploma (ND) graduates prior to advancing to HND programs, alongside specific exemption rules for health-related fields.

• 50% Cap on Part-Time Admissions: All part-time ND admissions will also fall under JAMB oversight, with institutions prohibited from admitting more than 50% of their approved full-time capacity for part-time tracks.

• Stricter Rules for NCE Holders: Reaffirming an earlier directive from September 7, 2026, the NBTE confirmed that candidates holding a combination of NCE and HND will not be mobilised for NYSC. NCE holders must gain direct admission into an ND program via JAMB first before proceeding to HND studies.

• Resolution for Trapped Candidates: Under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister of Education has approved the clearance of all pending, legitimate ND part-time and HND full-time graduates to ensure they are mobilized for NYSC without further delay.

How JAMB Responded

Addressing the directive, JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board is fully prepared to execute the directive.

“It’s a directive from above and ours is to comply to ensure that the good intentions of the government are achieved,” Benjamin stated.

What This Means for Prospective HND Students

1. Verify Your ND Admission First: Before applying for an HND program, ensure your initial National Diploma (ND) admission was properly logged and recognized on the JAMB portal.

2. Apply Only Through Official Channels: Stop paying application fees directly to polytechnics or third-party portals without verifying JAMB’s unified process.

3. Check Accreditation Status: Ensure the course you are applying for is fully accredited by the NBTE to avoid issues with NYSC clearance after graduation.