- The National Universities Commission ordered the immediate termination of all HND to B.Sc. conversion and top-up programs across Nigerian universities
- Kwara State University officially announced the cessation of its top-up degree admissions starting from the 2025/2026 academic session
- Al-Hikmah University mandated that all future undergraduate admissions must proceed exclusively through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
Universities across Nigeria have begun notifying students and the public about the suspension of Higher National Diploma conversion and top-up degree programmes following a directive from the National Universities Commission.
Kwara State University, Malete and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin are among the institutions that have announced the discontinuation of admissions into the programmes.
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The development affects candidates seeking to convert HND certificates into bachelor’s degrees through university-affiliated pathways.
Universities halt top-up admissions
In a public statement released by its management, Kwara State University said the Top Up/HND Conversion programme would end from the 2025/2026 academic session.
The institution said the decision followed regulations issued by the National Universities Commission, which supervises university education in the country.
“This is to inform the public that Kwara State University, Malete, will discontinue its Top Up/HND Conversion programme from the 2025/2026 academic session,” the notice read.
The university added that the NUC would later provide guidance on the status of students currently enrolled in the programme.
“This discontinuation is in compliance with the regulations of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory body for all universities in Nigeria,” the statement added.
KWASU Registrar, Dr. Kikelomo W. Sallee, said the institution remained committed to regulatory compliance and ethical standards.
Admission process limited to JAMB
Al-Hikmah University also announced the immediate suspension of admissions into top-up degree programmes.
According to the university management, future admissions into undergraduate programmes would only be conducted through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“The University Management hereby notifies the public that all admissions into Top-Up Degree Programmes have been discontinued with immediate effect. This complies with the National Universities Commission (NUC) directives,” the institution stated.
The university further warned members of the public against dealing with individuals or groups offering admission outside approved procedures.
“Admission into the Undergraduate programmes of the University is strictly through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB),” the statement said.
The decision marks a major policy shift for universities that previously operated conversion programmes for HND holders seeking university degrees. Over the years, such programmes became popular among polytechnic graduates aiming to improve career prospects and academic qualifications.
Uncertainty over enrolled students
While universities have stopped new admissions into the programmes, uncertainty remains over students currently undergoing conversion studies.
KWASU said the National Universities Commission would provide additional directives concerning affected students in due course. No timeline was given for the release of the guidance.
The NUC has not yet issued a detailed public statement explaining the reasons behind the latest directive.
FG introduces fresh measures to tackle WAEC, NECO malpractice
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government has rolled out fresh measures aimed at tackling examination malpractice in the Senior School Certificate Examination, a key requirement for admission into tertiary institutions across the country.
The new steps apply to examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council, the National Examination Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board.
Source: Legit.ng