Nigeria Launches HND Programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Tech.

The Federal Government has taken a big step in technology education by introducing specialised Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital fields. This move, announced by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, is part of a wider plan to prepare young Nigerians for jobs in a fast-changing digital world.

Prof. Bugaje explained that the new HND programmes will focus not only on AI, but also on cybersecurity, software engineering, and networking. He said these new courses are designed to help Nigeria keep up with global trends and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“We have unbundled the traditional HND programmes into more specific skill areas. This is already being implemented, and, under the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), we are offering even more specialised training modules in these areas,” Bugaje said.

According to him, the introduction of Nigeria AI education and other tech-focused courses is not just about adding new subjects. The NBTE is also using digital tools to improve how technical institutions are managed and checked for quality. For example, a new digital accreditation platform powered by AI has been launched. This system helps monitor academic standards, spot faculty who may be working at more than one school, and reduce cheating or manipulation.

“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.

Now, all institutions must upload detailed information about their facilities, equipment, and staff onto a central digital platform. This means that most accreditations can be done online, saving money and time, and making the process more transparent. For schools in rural areas without good internet, NBTE will use trusted vendors to collect and submit the needed information.

Bugaje also said that the digital shift is guided by the Minimum National Academic Standards (MNAS), which set clear rules for what each diploma and HND programme must have—like proper equipment and qualified teachers.

He believes that Nigeria AI education and these new digital initiatives will help Nigerian polytechnics become more relevant and competitive. By using technology in both teaching and school management, Nigeria can follow the example of Southeast Asian countries that have grown their economies with tech skills.

As Bugaje put it:

“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.”

In summary, the launch of HND programmes in AI, cybersecurity, and other digital fields is a major move to give Nigerian students the skills they need for future jobs. With digital tools now helping to manage and check the quality of education, Nigeria is taking important steps to build a stronger, tech-driven economy.

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