NBTE disputes NUC’s authority over HND ‘top-up degree’ scheme, insists on degree conversion

Amidst an ongoing clash with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has denied any intention of doubling down on its proposed “top-up degree” scheme for HND holders in the country.

News Round The Clock reports that NBTE reacted against NUC’s objections, asserting that the top-up degree scheme fell entirely “beyond the jurisdiction of the NUC.”

The NBTE, through its spokesperson Fatima Abubakar, issued a statement clarifying that the university regulatory agency had no authority over the program.

However, Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of NUC, contended in his statement that NBTE was overstepping its designated mandate.

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Previously, it was reported that NBTE, under the leadership of Prof. Idris Bugaje, had unveiled a collaboration with foreign universities.

This partnership aimed to allow HND graduates to upgrade their diplomas to degrees through a one-year conversion course in order to addresss the persistent dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates.

Sources within the Ministry of Education revealed that the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, was set to mediate in the dispute.

When asked if the NBTE was going to double down on the scheme, the board’s spokesperson, Fatima Abubakar said, “No, that is not true, please.”