The Federal Government has launched new specialised Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Networking, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to technical education.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. He said the move reflects President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to aligning Nigeria’s education sector with global technological advancements.
According to Bugaje, the newly introduced programmes are part of broader reforms aimed at preparing Nigerian youth for the demands of the modern digital economy and integrating the country into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We have unbundled the traditional HND programmes into more specific skill areas,” he said. “This is already being implemented. Under the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), we are offering more specialised training modules in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering.”
He explained that the changes are not just academic, but also structural, as NBTE has now introduced a digital accreditation system powered by AI technology. This platform will allow the board to monitor institutions more efficiently, check for compliance, and reduce manipulation in the accreditation process.
“For example, if a lecturer appears on multiple polytechnic websites, the AI system will flag it. This helps to maintain integrity and ensure proper faculty deployment,” Bugaje explained.
With the new system, polytechnics are required to upload detailed data about their facilities, staff, and equipment onto a centralised digital platform. This means physical inspections for accreditation will be minimised, saving costs and reducing risks.
In areas where internet access is limited, Bugaje said NBTE has provided a temporary solution through accredited vendors who conduct on-site assessments and submit their findings to the board.
He added that all programmes must meet the Minimum National Academic Standards (MNAS), which specify the infrastructure and faculty requirements for each National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) course.
According to him, the introduction of AI and other emerging tech fields is designed to make Nigerian polytechnics globally relevant and economically impactful.
“Technology is the future. Nigeria has no choice but to embed it in both education and economic planning,” he stated. “This is how we can unlock real growth and prosperity, just as countries in Southeast Asia have done.”
Education experts and stakeholders have welcomed the move, saying it will equip Nigerian students with practical skills needed for the 21st-century job market and help reduce the country’s reliance on foreign-trained tech professionals.
