FG Moves to Centralise HND Admissions Through JAMB, Targets NYSC Mobilisation Irregularities

The Federal Government has approved a new arrangement under which the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will take over the processing of Higher National Diploma (HND) admissions in polytechnics and other relevant institutions, beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The development was disclosed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in a circular dated September 9, 2026, and addressed to rectors and provosts of affected institutions. The directive follows consultations involving the Federal Ministry of Education, JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the NBTE.

Under the new policy, JAMB will oversee HND admissions in polytechnics, allied institutions, colleges of nursing sciences and colleges of health technology. The Federal Government is seeking to establish a more coordinated admission process across institutions offering higher technical and professional education.

The NBTE explained that the centralised arrangement was designed to address illegal and irregular admissions, including cases in which students are admitted through procedures that do not comply with approved regulatory requirements. Such irregularities, the board noted, can create difficulties when graduates seek mobilisation for the NYSC.

The board stated that JAMB would provide a unified admission framework, while the Federal Ministry of Education is expected to issue further details concerning the implementation of the policy. JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board would comply with the government’s directive.

To facilitate the implementation, the NBTE said it would develop comprehensive HND Admission Guidelines and submit them to JAMB. The guidelines are expected to address issues such as the required waiting period for National Diploma holders before progressing to HND programmes, as well as exemptions applicable to certain health-related ND programmes.

The new arrangement is also expected to affect part-time admissions. According to the NBTE, the proportion of part-time students in affected institutions will be limited to 50 per cent of each institution’s approved full-time admission quota. The measure is intended to ensure that enrolment remains within officially approved limits.

The board further reaffirmed its earlier directive concerning candidates presenting combinations of National Certificate in Education (NCE) and HND qualifications for NYSC mobilisation. Under the stated policy, NCE holders seeking to obtain an HND must first acquire a valid National Diploma, with the ND and HND qualifications recognised for NYSC mobilisation in such cases.

The Federal Government’s decision places greater emphasis on ensuring that students are admitted only into accredited programmes and institutions operating within their approved carrying capacities. The NBTE warned that institutions that violate the directive could face regulatory sanctions, including the possible withdrawal of their operating licences.

For prospective HND students, the policy is expected to introduce a more structured admission process and could require applicants to pay closer attention to official JAMB and institutional admission guidelines. Institutions, meanwhile, will need to align their admission procedures with the new framework once the detailed implementation rules are released.

The centralisation of HND admissions represents a significant adjustment in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system. By linking admission verification more closely with regulatory oversight and NYSC mobilisation requirements, the government hopes to reduce admission-related irregularities, protect students from unapproved programmes and strengthen confidence in the country’s polytechnic education system.