The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced sweeping reforms to harmonize and strengthen the National Diploma (ND) framework across Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
The new policy, recently approved by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s efforts to standardize technical education, enhance institutional credibility, and create clearer progression pathways for students in the vocational and technical space.
In a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, the National Innovation Diploma (NID) programme has been discontinued with immediate effect. “This policy seeks to establish a unified and harmonized National Diploma framework that ensures academic progression and consistency across Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” he said.
Under the reform, all Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs) have been abolished. Institutions currently running NID programmes will be allowed to graduate their Year II students, while those in Year I, admitted in October 2025, can either complete their NID programme or transition to the ND equivalent.
To strengthen the system, the Minister of Education has approved the upgrade of 46 Innovation Enterprise Institutions with valid accreditation to National Diploma-awarding status. The move is intended to create a more streamlined and progressive structure within Nigeria’s TVET ecosystem.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has also been notified to ensure a smooth transition in admissions and institutional listings. The names of upgraded institutions are published on the NBTE website.
In addition, operational licenses of 136 Innovation Enterprise Institutions whose accreditation had expired and were not renewed have been revoked. These institutions will be delisted from the JAMB portal and barred from admitting students into NID programmes. However, NBTE noted that such institutions may continue to operate as sub-tertiary training centers if they meet the necessary regulatory standards.
Prof. Bugaje reaffirmed NBTE’s commitment to improving quality assurance, ensuring institutional compliance, and widening access to technical education. He said the reforms are part of the board’s broader mission to build a credible, efficient, and globally competitive TVET system that supports national productivity and enterprise development.
“These reforms are not just administrative, they are strategic,” he said. “They are designed to reposition technical education as a key driver of innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.”
For Nigeria’s small businesses, particularly those relying on skilled technical labour, the harmonized ND structure is expected to enhance workforce competence, improve employability, and strengthen the link between education and industry needs.
