The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has warned all professional and examination bodies in Nigeria to stop the unlawful practice of awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna by the NBTE Executive Secretary, Idris Bugaje.
The statement noted that Mr. Bugaje had issued a circular raising concern over the activities of some professional and examination bodies allegedly designing, conducting, and awarding ND and HND certificates in various disciplines.
He described such actions as illegal and a violation of the Act establishing the NBTE.
According to the board, the NBTE remains the only body legally empowered under the Federal Government Decree No. 9 of 1977, as amended by Act 16 of 1985, to approve, accredit, and regulate all programmes leading to the award of ND and HND certificates in Nigeria.
The NBTE clarified that only accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions — including polytechnics, colleges of nursing sciences, colleges of health, colleges of agriculture, and other specialised institutions that meet prescribed standards — are authorised to run ND and HND programmes.
The board cautioned that it would not hesitate to take regulatory or legal action against any professional or examination body found engaging in such illegal practices.
It also urged all stakeholders and the general public to adhere strictly to existing regulations governing technical and vocational education in the country.
