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FG Launches New HND Programs in AI, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering to Meet Global Tech Demands

By Achimi muktar 

In a bold move set to revolutionise Nigeria’s technical education landscape, the Federal Government has introduced new Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Networking—a strategic leap aimed at aligning with global digital trends and the fast-paced Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The 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. According to Bugaje, this sweeping reform is part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to equip young Nigerians with future-proof digital skills that can compete in the global economy.

“We have unbundled the traditional HND programmes into more specific skill areas. This is already being implemented under the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF),” Bugaje revealed.

The revamped curriculum introduces specialised training modules focused on cutting-edge sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and networking, offering students a more direct path into high-demand digital careers.

Tech-Driven Oversight and Accountability

But it’s not just the classrooms getting an upgrade. NBTE has also deployed AI-powered digital tools to enhance transparency and oversight in Nigeria’s technical institutions.

One such tool is a digital accreditation platform, which uses artificial intelligence to track and validate academic standards while curbing issues like faculty duplication and malpractices in polytechnics.

“If a lecturer appears on multiple polytechnic websites, the AI system will flag it. This will help us maintain integrity in the accreditation process,” Bugaje explained.

Institutions are now mandated to upload detailed records of their facilities, faculty, and equipment onto a central digital platform, slashing the need for costly and sometimes corrupt physical verification visits.

Remote institutions with poor internet access won’t be left out either—they’ll be assessed by accredited third-party vendors whose reports will be reviewed by NBTE.

Raising the Bar for Education Standards

These sweeping reforms are aligned with the Minimum National Academic Standards (MNAS), a comprehensive benchmark that outlines what each National Diploma (ND) and HND programme must meet in terms of faculty quality, infrastructure, and equipment.

Bugaje insists that embedding technology into the core of technical education is the only way Nigeria can remain globally relevant.

“Nigeria has no choice but to embed technology in education and economic development. This is how we can unlock growth and prosperity in the digital age,” he said.

Looking East for Inspiration

By taking a cue from the successes of Southeast Asian economies—where tech-driven education reforms have accelerated development—Nigeria hopes to spark a similar GDP-boosting digital transformation.

With the launch of these tech-centric HND programmes and a new AI-driven accreditation system, the country is positioning its polytechnic graduates to meet global demand, enter the digital workforce with confidence, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s tech-driven future.