The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board will henceforth oversee admissions into Higher National Diploma programmes in polytechnics and other affected tertiary institutions, the National Board for Technical Education has announced.
The new arrangement will also cover allied institutions, colleges of nursing sciences and colleges of health technology, according to a directive issued by the NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof Idris Bugaje.
The directive was contained in a September 9, 2026 circular addressed to rectors and provosts of the institutions. It followed a meeting involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, JAMB, NBTE, the National Youth Service Corps and the Federal Ministry of Education.
The NBTE said centralising the process was necessary to tackle irregular admissions and prevent situations that could later affect graduates’ eligibility for NYSC mobilisation.
JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the development, saying the board would implement the government’s directive.
The NBTE is expected to prepare guidelines for the new HND admission system, including provisions on the required waiting period for National Diploma holders before progressing to HND and exemptions applicable to some health-related ND programmes.
The board also restated its position on the admission and mobilisation of students with NCE/HND combinations. It said NCE holders seeking HND admission must obtain a valid ND through the approved route before proceeding to the higher programme.
Under the new arrangement, only recognised ND and HND qualifications in such cases will qualify for NYSC mobilisation, while institutions have been warned that violations of the admission rules could attract regulatory sanctions, including possible withdrawal of their licences.
The NBTE further directed that admissions must be restricted to accredited programmes and approved student capacities. It said the digital system would make it harder for institutions to conduct unauthorised admissions.
Meanwhile, the board said outstanding cases involving lawfully admitted ND part-time and HND full-time students had received ministerial approval for resolution, with a view to facilitating their NYSC mobilisation.
