EXCLUSIVE FEATURE (CONCLUDING INSTALLMENT): When the Bridge Shakes — Anxiety Deepens Over Future of HND Holders Amid Conversion Programme Uncertainty

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AI-generated illustration depicting the perceived imbalance in recognition between HND and BSc qualifications in Nigeria’s education and employment system

By Victor Olubiye

The future of thousands of Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in Nigeria is once again at the centre of national debate, following renewed concerns over the reported suspension of HND-to-Bachelor of Science conversion programmes in some universities across the country.

What is emerging is not just an administrative question about academic pathways, but a deeper national conversation on fairness, qualification recognition, and the long-standing tension between polytechnic and university education in Nigeria.

This concluding installment brings together earlier reports published by The Creativity Site, beginning with the initial feature anchored on concerns raised by Asiyanbi Blessing, an HND graduate of Mass Communication from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, who first raised questions about what becomes of polytechnic graduates if conversion programmes are eventually discontinued.

In that earlier report, Blessing expressed concern that the removal of conversion pathways could significantly limit academic mobility for HND holders, forcing many into Direct Entry or requiring them to restart university education from lower levels.

Following that initial publication, The Creativity Site expanded its coverage, engaging lecturers, graduates, alumni stakeholders, and education professionals to obtain broader perspectives on the unfolding issue.

Among the first respondents is Lebi Anuoluwapo, an HND graduate, writer, and journalist, who urged caution in interpreting the development, stressing that clearer clarification is still needed from regulatory authorities.

According to him, the reported suspension may be linked to efforts aimed at maintaining academic coherence and strengthening quality assurance within the university system.

“I await more clarification by the NUC to understand their motive and implications of their actions on HND holders,” he said.

However, other stakeholders warned that the development, if fully implemented, could deepen existing inequalities in Nigeria’s education structure.

Akinlabi Akinola, a lecturer, described the situation as “unfair and inconsistent,” arguing that the country’s academic system continues to reflect contradictions in how qualifications are treated.

He noted that although HND holders are often advised to pursue Postgraduate Diplomas, access to seamless academic progression remains uneven across institutions.

“If this directive comes into full effect, the hope of many HND holders intending to further their academic careers may be shattered,” he warned.

He further referenced international education systems where HND holders are allowed direct progression to postgraduate studies under defined institutional frameworks.

Similarly, Enoch Oyedibu, an HND graduate, said the development could have negative consequences if proper alternatives are not established to cushion its impact.

“The development might have some negative impacts if the necessary mechanisms are not put in place,” he said.

As reactions widened, more stakeholders weighed in on the implications of the policy direction.

A Facebook post from Kwara State University (KWASU) announcing the discontinuation of its HND Conversion Programme, following regulatory directives

Hon. Comr. Ajayi Timileyin (TimzExpert) said the suspension of conversion programmes could significantly affect academic progression for HND holders, particularly those relying on the pathway to obtain Bachelor’s degrees required for further studies.

He noted that it could also increase reliance on Direct Entry and other alternatives, potentially placing additional financial and academic pressure on graduates.

Mr. Williams Oluwasegun V. argued that while the development may create short-term challenges, it does not erase the prospects of HND holders.

According to him, the central issue remains the persistent discrimination between HND and B.Sc qualifications in Nigeria rather than the relevance of technical education itself.

From an academic standpoint, Mr. Adekunle Sikiru, Head of Department of Photography Technology at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, maintained that HND remains a valid and practical qualification.

He stressed that the challenge lies more in perception and policy inconsistency than in academic competence.

“The hope of HND holders should not depend on conversion programmes but on recognition, policy reform, and professional excellence,” he said.

He further noted that the development could eventually strengthen advocacy for true parity between HND and B.Sc qualifications in Nigeria.

Mr. Adewumi Temitope, a lecturer, was more direct, insisting that the only sustainable solution lies in dismantling the long-standing HND–B.Sc dichotomy.

“The only hope for HND holders is for the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc to be broken,” he stated.

For many graduates, however, the issue remains deeply personal, with concerns extending beyond policy debates into lived academic experiences.

Samuel Iyiola, an HND holder, described the uncertainty surrounding the conversion programme as emotionally distressing, noting that it had long represented a key pathway for academic advancement.

Another graduate, Bamigbade Emmanuel O. (Oluwapaschal), argued that rather than discouraging HND holders, emphasis should be placed on ensuring equal opportunities across all qualification categories.

Beyond formal interviews, public commentary has also reflected growing unease. A Facebook post by Ridwan Olanrewaju (Scripturist) described the development as part of Nigeria’s entrenched educational imbalance, arguing that competence and intelligence should not be measured solely by certificate classification.

He further encouraged graduates to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and continuous self-development in response to Nigeria’s evolving economic realities.

As the debate continues across academic, institutional, and public spaces, the HND conversion controversy has moved beyond a policy issue into a broader national reflection on education equity, employability, and structural inequality within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

This concluding installment consolidates earlier reports published by The Creativity Site, beginning with the initial concerns raised by Asiyanbi Blessing, and brings together subsequent reactions from lecturers, graduates, and stakeholders who have shaped the ongoing national conversation.

For now, the future of HND conversion pathways remains uncertain — suspended between policy ambiguity and the growing demand for structural reform in Nigeria’s higher education system.



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