The Federal Government has unveiled new specialised Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), marking a major step toward aligning Nigeria’s education sector with global technological advancements.
This announcement was made by Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
In addition to AI, the newly introduced academic programmes include cybersecurity, software engineering, and networking. These disciplines are tailored to equip young Nigerians with the digital competencies essential for participating in the modern global economy.
Prof. Bugaje described this development as part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader vision to modernise Nigeria’s education system in line with global trends. He noted that after two years of the current administration, these changes reflect a meaningful push to position Nigeria within the scope of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We have unbundled the traditional HND programmes into more specific skill areas,” Bugaje explained. “This is already being implemented, and under the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), we are offering even more specialised training modules in these areas.”
He emphasised that the expansion into AI and other emerging fields goes beyond just new course offerings. Advanced digital tools, including Artificial Intelligence, are now being incorporated into the operational systems of technical institutions. A notable example is the deployment of a digital accreditation platform powered by AI, designed to ensure academic quality and eliminate malpractice.
“For example, a digital accreditation platform powered by AI has been deployed to monitor compliance with academic standards, identify faculty duplications, and curb malpractices,” Bugaje said. “If a lecturer appears on multiple polytechnic websites, the AI system will flag it. This will help us maintain integrity in the accreditation process.”
Institutions are now required to submit comprehensive digital profiles detailing their equipment, facilities, and academic personnel to a centralised platform. Bugaje noted that this digital model reduces the need for physical inspections, cutting costs, reducing risk, and minimising opportunities for manipulation.
For institutions in remote rural areas without stable internet access, the NBTE has implemented an interim measure. These schools will be evaluated by accredited vendors, who will submit verification reports for NBTE’s final review and decision.
The digital accreditation system is guided by the Minimum National Academic Standards (MNAS), which outlines specific requirements for each ND and HND programme, such as staffing qualifications, infrastructure, and essential equipment. Bugaje believes that integrating such digital systems is essential for the relevance and sustainability of Nigeria’s polytechnics in a rapidly evolving global environment.
He further highlighted the economic potential of technology-based education, noting that digital transformation has significantly contributed to the GDP growth of Southeast Asian countries.
“Nigeria has no choice but to embed technology in education and economic development,” Bugaje said. “This is how we can unlock growth and prosperity in the digital age.”
What you should know
The Federal Government has introduced new HND programmes in Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and networking through the NBTE.
This move aims to align Nigeria’s technical education with global tech trends and prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The NBTE has also implemented a digital AI-powered accreditation system to enhance quality control and reduce corruption in polytechnic education.
Rural institutions will still be evaluated through alternative methods. These reforms, part of President Tinubu’s education agenda, are expected to help drive Nigeria’s digital economy and increase its GDP by integrating technology deeply into education and governance.
