The National Board for Technical Education has directed that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board take full responsibility for the admission of students into Higher National Diploma programmes across polytechnics and other technical and health-related institutions.

The directive, contained in a circular dated September 9, 2026, was issued by NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, and addressed to rectors and provosts of the affected institutions.

The board said the decision followed consultations involving the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, JAMB, the National Youth Service Corps, NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Under the new arrangement, HND admissions will be processed centrally through JAMB from the current academic session. The NBTE said the measure was introduced to eliminate irregular admissions and prevent situations that could affect the eligibility of graduates for NYSC mobilisation.

The board is also expected to formulate comprehensive guidelines for HND admissions and submit them to JAMB to support the development of the digital admission platform. The guidelines will cover issues such as the required waiting period for National Diploma holders before progressing to HND and exemptions applicable to certain ND health-related programmes.

JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board would implement the directive, saying JAMB was committed to ensuring that the government’s objectives were achieved.

The NBTE further announced that part-time National Diploma admissions, which are already processed through JAMB, would be restricted to a maximum of 50 per cent of an institution’s approved full-time admission quota.

The board also reaffirmed its September 7 directive barring institutions from presenting candidates who hold a combination of NCE and HND qualifications for NYSC mobilisation.

It clarified that NCE holders seeking HND admission must obtain a valid ND qualification before proceeding to the HND level. Such candidates must also secure admission into the HND programme through JAMB’s direct admission route.

For NYSC purposes, only the ND and HND qualifications would be recognised in such cases.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education is expected to review the existing list of agriculture-related ND programmes whose candidates are exempted from the written UTME, with consideration being given to extending the exemption to additional programmes.

The NBTE has been asked to make recommendations on the matter, while the Committee of Heads of Nigerian Polytechnics and Similar Institutions will also contribute to the review.

The board warned heads of institutions to comply fully with the new directives, stressing that violations would attract regulatory sanctions, including possible withdrawal of an institution’s operating licence.

Bugaje also disclosed that the Minister had approved the resolution of outstanding cases involving candidates who were legally admitted for ND part-time and HND full-time programmes, with the aim of facilitating their NYSC mobilisation without further delay.

According to the NBTE, centralising the admission process will ensure that students are admitted only into accredited programmes and within the approved carrying capacity of each institution.

The board added that the digitisation of the process would make it increasingly difficult for institutions to conduct unauthorised admissions.