₦airaland Forum

If you are not already self-employed and intend to seek employment after completing your studies, I strongly urge you by whatever you hold sacred not to purchase that HND form.

Instead, consider better alternatives. Purchase a Direct Entry form or start afresh by obtaining a UTME form to enroll in a conventional university. Another viable option is to approach an Open University study center near you and explore the opportunities they offer. These pathways will ultimately lead to a university degree. Do not let the duration or cost deter you, these are investments in your future. Avoid the HND form at all costs.

Do not be misled by those who claim that you can "prove your worth on the field." The harsh reality is that many Nigerian employers, including the government, place an overwhelming emphasis on certificates, often denying HND holders a fair chance to showcase their abilities. This bias shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

For example, the Ogun State government recently began selling ASCON forms for civil service employment, explicitly barring HND holders from participating. Even if you manage to secure a civil service job through other channels, there is a ceiling to how far you can advance due to your HND background. Why subject yourself to such limitations and indignities?

If you're considering pursuing postgraduate studies such as a PGD, Master’s, or PhD later, be warned: the barriers persist. Some universities restrict HND holders from progressing beyond a Master’s degree. For instance, LASU specifically states that MED holders with HND and PGDE qualifications are ineligible to apply for a PhD. The systemic discrimination is pervasive, and you are unlikely to find it acceptable later in your career.

It is puzzling why the government and education authorities have not addressed this issue by either scrapping polytechnics or ceasing the issuance of HND certificates altogether. Allowing institutions to produce graduates who are systematically undervalued in society is a disservice to students.

Do not be swayed by the fact that HND holders are referred to as graduates or participate in the NYSC scheme. That fleeting recognition often ends with NYSC. If you doubt this, try applying for a master’s program with an HND after your NYSC. The barriers and bias are undeniable and frustrating.

While it’s true that some HND holders have excelled in their fields, they are a small minority compared to the many who face relentless discrimination in both public and private sectors. Why endure such struggles after spending five years on an HND program (2 years for ND, 1 year for IT, and 2 years for HND)?

Education is invaluable, but in Nigeria's context, the HND certificate is currently one of the most marginalized qualifications.

If you lack your own business and plan to seek employment, avoid the HND route. Consider this my earnest advice.

Nothing but the whole truth

Djmadrid:
If you are not already self-employed and intend to seek employment after completing your studies, I strongly urge you by whatever you hold sacred not to purchase that HND form.

Instead, consider better alternatives. Purchase a Direct Entry form or start afresh by obtaining a UTME form to enroll in a conventional university. Another viable option is to approach an Open University study center near you and explore the opportunities they offer. These pathways will ultimately lead to a university degree. Do not let the duration or cost deter you, these are investments in your future. Avoid the HND form at all costs.

Do not be misled by those who claim that you can "prove your worth on the field." The harsh reality is that many Nigerian employers, including the government, place an overwhelming emphasis on certificates, often denying HND holders a fair chance to showcase their abilities. This bias shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

For example, the Ogun State government recently began selling ASCON forms for civil service employment, explicitly barring HND holders from participating. Even if you manage to secure a civil service job through other channels, there is a ceiling to how far you can advance due to your HND background. Why subject yourself to such limitations and indignities?

If you're considering pursuing postgraduate studies such as a PGD, Master’s, or PhD later, be warned: the barriers persist. Some universities restrict HND holders from progressing beyond a Master’s degree. For instance, LASU specifically states that MED holders with HND and PGDE qualifications are ineligible to apply for a PhD. The systemic discrimination is pervasive, and you are unlikely to find it acceptable later in your career.

It is puzzling why the government and education authorities have not addressed this issue by either scrapping polytechnics or ceasing the issuance of HND certificates altogether. Allowing institutions to produce graduates who are systematically undervalued in society is a disservice to students.

Do not be swayed by the fact that HND holders are referred to as graduates or participate in the NYSC scheme. That fleeting recognition often ends with NYSC. If you doubt this, try applying for a master’s program with an HND after your NYSC. The barriers and bias are undeniable and frustrating.

While it’s true that some HND holders have excelled in their fields, they are a small minority compared to the many who face relentless discrimination in both public and private sectors. Why endure such struggles after spending five years on an HND program (2 years for ND, 1 year for IT, and 2 years for HND)?

Education is invaluable, but in Nigeria's context, the HND certificate is currently one of the most marginalized qualifications.

If you lack your own business and plan to seek employment, avoid the HND route. Consider this my earnest advice.

This is an absolute truism. However, for those who have towed this path, you can still salvage the situation by running a Post-Graduate Diploma in any field of choice and subsequently, a Masters degree and furthermore, a PhD.

So, here is the thing:
Polytechnics and their products are supposed to strictly be for the development of the technical workforce. The technical workforce are supposed to form the field and operational cadre of an organization, while the Universities are supposed to largely develop the managerial and research cadre.
There is even the apprenticeship cadre which caters largely to the informal sector.
The problem with Nigeria is that everyone wants to be a manager. The government and organisations are right in restricting HND holders. Your core training was to be a technical hand, but you want to be a manager. You're not meant to be a manager, when you get to the peak of whatever paid employment you find yourself, bow out and use your technical skills to become an entrepreneur and start up a business and be an employer.
I also applaud the authorities for scrapping management courses in Polytechnics and restricting them to the core technical courses for which they were set up.
It is not Nigeria placing emphasis on paper certificates, it is HND holders trying to usurp university degree holder's positions.

If u are brilliant n in d engineering field,pls follow hnd in courses like electrical engineering or mechanical.Tech guys are highly sought after especially d ones wit distinction.

I always wonder why young folks spend more years to study to a certificate that carries little weight when they can just go for Bsc 4years.

If you are reading this and you are considering HND route, you before have a rethink and listen to OP

bdon123:
If u are brilliant n in d engineering field,pls follow hnd in courses like electrical engineering or mechanical.Tech guys are highly sought after especially d ones wit distinction.

You are not saying the truth

CivilianJTF:
You are not saying the truth

He is saying the truth. Germany and a host of other European countries are seeking skilled workers with these qualifications or vocational training over just someone with theories and paper certificate.

This route will not save anyone with HND from discrimination when the time comes.

Best thing is to enroll for direct entry with your HND, you can get 3rd year in some schools, give it another 1 or 2 years depending on the course ,then you have your BSc.

Juliearth:
This is an absolute truism. However, for those who have towed this path, you can still salvage the situation by running a Post-Graduate Diploma in any field of choice and subsequently, a Masters degree and furthermore, a PhD.

The discuss is handy-size guide to nigeria system of who is your father,my father is a senator and bla bla bla.Although your discuss is episodic,concise and easy to see and understand,it is not enough to discouraging others from pursuing HND,the problem with nigeria is title and paper mentality.So the government can convert all HNDs to BTech certificates.With seas of universities' certificates no correlations with improvement in economy so education is education do not cause a moral dampening in the system

My brother finished with HND... He made sure we didn't go same route with him. Me and my sis have already gained admission in a state poly and my brother made sure we switched. I was even arguing with him about time wasted, but he insisted.

Right now, all thanks to him for ensuring that we didn't make the same mistake he did.

In my opinion getting an IT certification or certifications is key.

HND + AN ICT CERTIFICATION

>

A BSC without a certification

Djmadrid:
If you are not already self-employed and intend to seek employment after completing your studies, I strongly urge you by whatever you hold sacred not to purchase that HND form.

Instead, consider better alternatives. Purchase a Direct Entry form or start afresh by obtaining a UTME form to enroll in a conventional university. Another viable option is to approach an Open University study center near you and explore the opportunities they offer. These pathways will ultimately lead to a university degree. Do not let the duration or cost deter you, these are investments in your future. Avoid the HND form at all costs.

Do not be misled by those who claim that you can "prove your worth on the field." The harsh reality is that many Nigerian employers, including the government, place an overwhelming emphasis on certificates, often denying HND holders a fair chance to showcase their abilities. This bias shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

For example, the Ogun State government recently began selling ASCON forms for civil service employment, explicitly barring HND holders from participating. Even if you manage to secure a civil service job through other channels, there is a ceiling to how far you can advance due to your HND background. Why subject yourself to such limitations and indignities?

If you're considering pursuing postgraduate studies such as a PGD, Master’s, or PhD later, be warned: the barriers persist. Some universities restrict HND holders from progressing beyond a Master’s degree. For instance, LASU specifically states that MED holders with HND and PGDE qualifications are ineligible to apply for a PhD. The systemic discrimination is pervasive, and you are unlikely to find it acceptable later in your career.

It is puzzling why the government and education authorities have not addressed this issue by either scrapping polytechnics or ceasing the issuance of HND certificates altogether. Allowing institutions to produce graduates who are systematically undervalued in society is a disservice to students.

Do not be swayed by the fact that HND holders are referred to as graduates or participate in the NYSC scheme. That fleeting recognition often ends with NYSC. If you doubt this, try applying for a master’s program with an HND after your NYSC. The barriers and bias are undeniable and frustrating.

While it’s true that some HND holders have excelled in their fields, they are a small minority compared to the many who face relentless discrimination in both public and private sectors. Why endure such struggles after spending five years on an HND program (2 years for ND, 1 year for IT, and 2 years for HND)?

Education is invaluable, but in Nigeria's context, the HND certificate is currently one of the most marginalized qualifications.

If you lack your own business and plan to seek employment, avoid the HND route. Consider this my earnest advice.

This is true but thanks to National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) who in conjunction with Nigeria's Ministry of Education have unveiled a wonderful pathway to regularize HND certificate and give HND graduates an opportunity to obtain Bachelor of Technology via a one year program in partnership with some foreign universities, especially prestigious Indian universities who checked HND curriculum and saw it almost close to a Bsc degree and gladly accepted to partner with NBTE and Ministry of Education.


The program is ongoing since last year and first batch of graduates should be having their Bachelor of Technology certificates from prestigious foreign universities in India, etc ready from next year.



What you said is nothing but the truth and I think that was why NBTE sought for that HND-to-Bsc/BTech pathway for existing HND graduates

wonder233:
So, here is the thing:
Polytechnics and their products are supposed to strictly be for the development of the technical workforce. The technical workforce are supposed to form the field and operational cadre of an organization, while the Universities are supposed to largely develop the managerial and research cadre.
There is even the apprenticeship cadre which caters largely to the informal sector.
The problem with Nigeria is that everyone wants to be a manager. The government and organisations are right in restricting HND holders. Your core training was to be a technical hand, but you want to be a manager. You're not meant to be a manager, when you get to the peak of whatever paid employment you find yourself, bow out and use your technical skills to become an entrepreneur and start up a business and be an employer.
I also applaud the authorities for scrapping management courses in Polytechnics and restricting them to the core technical courses for which they were set up.
It is not Nigeria placing emphasis on paper certificates, it is HND holders trying to usurp university degree holder's positions.

Rightly said my brother.


You are learned

Samakus:
Nothing but the whole truth

nice dp

CivilianJTF:
You are not saying the truth

How so?

If you like get phd if u no get long leg or better skill for we naija na waec holder fit employ you las las.

Useless write up

Those with HND in engineering should runaway from PGDE.

wonder233:
So, here is the thing:
Polytechnics and their products are supposed to strictly be for the development of the technical workforce. The technical workforce are supposed to form the field and operational cadre of an organization, while the Universities are supposed to largely develop the managerial and research cadre.
There is even the apprenticeship cadre which caters largely to the informal sector.
The problem with Nigeria is that everyone wants to be a manager. The government and organisations are right in restricting HND holders. Your core training was to be a technical hand, but you want to be a manager. You're not meant to be a manager, when you get to the peak of whatever paid employment you find yourself, bow out and use your technical skills to become an entrepreneur and start up a business and be an employer.
I also applaud the authorities for scrapping management courses in Polytechnics and restricting them to the core technical courses for which they were set up.
It is not Nigeria placing emphasis on paper certificates, it is HND holders trying to usurp university degree holder's positions.

Its a case of 'know your place'

Ogeneigbo1:
This route will not save anyone with HND from discrimination when the time comes.

Best thing is to enroll for direct entry with your HND, you can get 3rd year in some schools, give it another 1 or 2 years depending on the course ,then you have your BSc.

Your option is yet another angle to explore. Note however, that it is quite unheard of to gain direct entry to 300L in a 400L institution. Best bet is 200L. Also, with a PhD for instance, the HND stigma holds no water.

RealityKings1:
nice dp

Thanks

Why I said PhD will not save anyone during discrimination is because, when these government/private org. wants to do this discrimination, they start from ones entry level certifications. They don't ask you if you have PhD or not.

The emphasis is always on certificate you used to come into the organization.

Mind you , you are not the only one fighting for that new position.

There are many others too with maybe same PhD or even better qualifications.

So they now go back to the basics, which qualification did the candidates enter with.

That is why you see some senior staff getting exposed because their BSc or nysc is fake.meanwhile this person has been on the system for many years .

Juliearth:
Your option is yet another angle to explore. Note however, that it is quite unheard of to gain direct entry to 300L in a 400L institution. Best bet is 200L. Also, with a PhD for instance, the HND stigma holds no water.

MrHighSea:
Those with HND in engineering should runaway from PGDE.

Why if I may ask?

edrys:
Why if I may ask?

COREN do not recognize it
PGD engineering is 2 years on average.
Some schools are discontinuing it.

Go to UNIPORT on a saturday and see the crowd on process of converting from HND to B.ENG.

Etc

Am a victim
My children will never go to polytechnic. University or degree awarding institutions or nothing.

Stigma is too much

Ogeneigbo1:
Why I said PhD will not save anyone during discrimination is because, when these government/private org. wants to do this discrimination, they start from ones entry level certifications. They don't ask you if you have PhD or not.

The emphasis is always on certificate you used to come into the organization.

Mind you , you are not the only one fighting for that new position.

There are many others too with maybe same PhD or even better qualifications.

So they now go back to the basics, which qualification did the candidates enter with.

That is why you see some senior staff getting exposed because their BSc or nysc is fake.meanwhile this person has been on the system for many years .

You have made a cogent point, I couldn't agree more..

This is so pathetic, I concur with all your write up, you've made a valid submission to prospective university candidates,
Who have ears should hear. HND is no no option for any person I know aspiring to further his or her studies in Nigeria.

Also for those that have already obtained the certificate, immediately you are done with your nysc and have any intention or finance to further your education, don't buy any pgd form, its either you go for top up for degree or you buy direct entry form from jamb and enroll for any university of your choice for 3 years so that you can belong to the class of degree holders, by so doing you will be sure of unlimited opportunities in a Nigerian labour environment .

bdon123:
If u are brilliant n in d engineering field,pls follow hnd in courses like electrical engineering or mechanical.Tech guys are highly sought after especially d ones wit distinction.

No amount of facts can sway some people. They can never learn.

franchasofficia:
This is true but thanks to National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) who in conjunction with Nigeria's Ministry of Education have unveiled a wonderful pathway to regularize HND certificate and give HND graduates an opportunity to obtain Bachelor of Technology via a one year program in partnership with some foreign universities, especially prestigious Indian universities who checked HND curriculum and saw it almost close to a Bsc degree and gladly accepted to partner with NBTE and Ministry of Education.


The program is ongoing since last year and first batch of graduates should be having their Bachelor of Technology certificates from prestigious foreign universities in India, etc ready from next year.



What you said is nothing but the truth and I think that was why NBTE sought for that HND-to-Bsc/BTech pathway for existing HND graduates

how do I apply for this. Thank you

singlemoma:
how do I apply for this. Thank you

Read the circular https://www.coex.nbte.gov.ng/

https://topup.nbte.gov.ng/