Nigeria Approves NYSC Mobilization for Full-Time HND Graduates Amid Calls to End HND-BSc Discrimination

In a landmark policy shift, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates are now eligible for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization.

The announcement was made in a press release by Boriwo Folasade, Director, Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, following confirmation from Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa. The Minister stated that after discussions with the Director-General of NYSC, it was resolved that only full-time HND graduates would be eligible for mobilization, while those who completed their studies part-time remain ineligible.

This decision is seen as another step towards curtailing the long-standing stigmatization of HND holders, who have historically been marginalized in both employment opportunities and career progression.

For years, polytechnic graduates in Nigeria have faced systemic discrimination in both public and private sectors, often being placed at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts with university degrees (BSc). This has fueled a growing call for reforms, with stakeholders demanding an end to the HND-BSc dichotomy that limits opportunities for polytechnic graduates.

The exclusion of HND graduates from the NYSC program has been one of the major factors reinforcing this inequality. Many employers, especially in the public sector, require NYSC certification as a prerequisite for employment. By preventing HND holders from participating in the one-year service program, they were effectively shut out from many government and corporate job opportunities.

This new development is expected to alleviate some of these challenges, but stakeholders argue that more needs to be done to fully integrate polytechnic graduates into the workforce without discrimination.

To facilitate a smooth mobilization process, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to fast-track the collation of data for eligible HND graduates. A circular has already been sent to all Rectors of Polytechnics, instructing them to upload relevant graduate information onto a newly created HND admission portal.

According to Dr. Alausa, this portal will serve as the official database for NYSC mobilization and help address previous challenges related to discrepancies in admission records. He urged all eligible full-time HND graduates to take full advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilization without delay.

“The Honourable Minister urges all eligible full-time HND graduates to take full advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilization without delay,” the statement read.

Dr. Alausa further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equity and inclusivity in the education sector, emphasizing that this decision aligns with broader efforts to uplift technical education and provide fair opportunities for all Nigerian graduates.

The mobilization of HND graduates into NYSC comes amid renewed calls to abolish the HND-BSc dichotomy, which has historically placed polytechnic graduates at a disadvantage.

In 2021, the Nigerian House of Representatives passed a bill criminalizing discrimination against HND holders, stating that treating polytechnic graduates as inferior to university graduates was unlawful. The bill was meant to compel employers in both the public and private sectors to treat HND and BSc holders equally in terms of employment, career progression, and remuneration.

However, despite the passage of the bill, discrimination against HND graduates has remained prevalent, with many companies and government agencies still favoring university graduates for employment and promotion opportunities. This underlines the need for more concrete action to dignify HND certificates and ensure that polytechnic graduates are given equal career opportunities.

Calls for Further Reforms and Government Investment in Polytechnic Education

The decision to allow HND graduates into the NYSC program has rekindled discussions about education reform in Nigeria. The Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to sponsor a bill that will completely abolish the HND-BSc divide, arguing that poor policy implementation has led to declining enrollment in polytechnics, threatening the country’s industrial and technological growth.

A previous bill aimed at equalizing HND and BSc qualifications was passed by the 9th Senate, but it was never signed into law. Advocates are now pushing for its reintroduction, urging the government to do more than just approve NYSC mobilization for HND graduates.

What This Means for Polytechnic Graduates

A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a practical and vocational qualification awarded by polytechnics and technical institutions in Nigeria and other Commonwealth countries. The two-year program focuses on specialized knowledge and hands-on skills in fields such as engineering, technology, business, and applied sciences.

For years, HND graduates have faced limited career opportunities, especially in the public sector, where they are often placed at a lower rank than Bachelor’s degree (BSc) holders. The exclusion of HND graduates from NYSC mobilization further deepened the divide.

With this new policy, eligible full-time HND graduates can now complete the one-year mandatory NYSC service, providing them with access to employment opportunities that previously required NYSC certification.

However, education stakeholders stress that while this is a positive move, the government must follow through with broader policies that fully integrate polytechnic graduates into Nigeria’s workforce without discrimination. The pressure remains on the government to end the HND-BSc divide, ensuring that all graduates are treated equally, regardless of their chosen institution.