HND Holders From Polytechnics Must Undergo One-Year Mandatory Training – FG

Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service, has mandated HND holders to undergo a one-year training before promotion to bridge the curriculum gap with B.Sc holders.

This directive, announced during the 2024 Civil Service Week, aims to address the longstanding dichotomy between HND and university degrees, despite previous legislative efforts.

The Civil Service also focuses on digitalization and implementing a Performance Management System to enhance efficiency and accountability.

Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has mandated workers with Higher National Diplomas (HND) to complete a one-year mandatory training before their promotion to the Officers’ cadre.

VerseNews reports that this directive was issued during a virtual interactive session marking the 2024 Civil Service Week.

The theme of the event, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” underscored the importance of inclusive and quality education in Africa.

The announcement comes amidst ongoing controversy between the National Universities Commission and the National Board for Technical Education over the parity between HND and university degrees.

Despite a bill introduced in the Ninth National Assembly aimed at ending this dichotomy, which was not signed into law by the previous administration, the NBTE has introduced a one-year top-up program. This program aims to bridge the gap by providing HND holders with the opportunity to advance towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Responding to queries during the session, Dr. Yemi-Esan clarified that the different curricula for HND and B.Sc holders necessitated the mandatory training for HND graduates. She emphasized the Civil Service’s commitment to enhancing workforce capacity through continuous learning and development aligned with national priorities.

Additionally, Dr. Yemi-Esan highlighted the adoption of a Performance Management System (PMS) across ministries and departments to improve efficiency and accountability within the Civil Service.

The digitalization of work processes, including the implementation of digital transaction workflow systems, was also emphasized as part of ongoing reforms aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service.