In a strategic move to modernise Nigeria’s technical education and equip its youth for the digital economy, the Federal Government has unveiled new Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Networking.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, announced the initiative during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He emphasized that this innovation aligns with global trends and supports the nation’s transition into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We’ve broken down traditional HND programmes into more targeted and skill-specific areas,” said Bugaje. “Under the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), we now offer specialised modules in emerging tech fields like AI, cybersecurity, and networking.”
Integrating AI and Digital Tools in Governance
In addition to curriculum reform, the NBTE has deployed AI-powered digital accreditation tools to enhance transparency and efficiency across technical institutions. The system tracks academic compliance, flags duplicated faculty listings across multiple schools, and reduces the need for physical inspection teams.
“Institutions now submit their faculty, facilities, and equipment data to a central digital platform,” Bugaje explained. “This not only cuts costs and risks but also ensures more reliable oversight.”
Remote institutions without stable internet will be evaluated through accredited third-party vendors, who will upload verification reports for NBTE’s review.
Aligning with Global Standards for Economic Competitiveness
These reforms are anchored in the Minimum National Academic Standards (MNAS), which outline clear requirements for each ND and HND programme, including faculty qualifications, infrastructure, and technology.
Bugaje stated that embracing tech-driven education is non-negotiable for Nigeria’s development:
“Technology must be at the heart of our educational and economic strategies if we want to unlock sustainable growth in this digital era.”
Inspired by the success of Southeast Asian nations, the Nigerian government hopes these new programmes will not only boost the country’s GDP but also enhance the global relevance of its polytechnics.
Credit:Nairametrics
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