The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has expressed serious concern over the activities of some professional and examination bodies allegedly awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates without legal authorization.
In a circular issued by NBTE spokesperson, Fatima Abubakar, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, the Board described the act as illegal and a clear violation of its regulatory mandate.
The statement noted that only accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are legally empowered to design, conduct, and award ND and HND certificates in Nigeria.
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According to the circular, the NBTE remains the sole agency authorized by law — 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 qualifications across the country.
It further emphasized that institutions such as polytechnics, colleges of nursing sciences, colleges of health, and colleges of agriculture must meet the prescribed standards before running any diploma programmes.
The Board warned that it would not hesitate to take legal and regulatory action against any organization found issuing unapproved diplomas or certificates, urging stakeholders and the public to report such activities and adhere strictly to established educational regulations.