By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The education ministry under the leadership of Dr. Tunji Alausa has announced plans to abolish the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by empowering polytechnics to award degrees.

The minister disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while addressing a high-level retreat of council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars.

The minister said the move is a landmark policy shift that would end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and elevate polytechnics into centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.

According to him, the reform would place polytechnic education on a stronger footing while preserving its core strength in hands-on, industry-focused training.

He noted that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on a workforce equipped to create, build and solve real-world problems.

The minister explained that the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and human capital development.

Alausa assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, strong regulation and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.

Speaking on the theme “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development”, the minister said polytechnics are critical to building a skills-driven economy.

He charged participants to return to their institutions as agents of change, the minister said, “The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today.”

He stressed that the ministry has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.

He urged polytechnic leaders to entrench innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and robust industry partnerships, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority areas.

On governance, Dr. Alausa warned that transparency, accountability and ethical leadership must define the new era in polytechnic administration. He called for fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent resource management and zero tolerance for corruption.

The minister also emphasised sustainability, encouraging institutions to increase internally generated revenue through production and services, develop eco-friendly campuses and build resilient infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and partnerships.

He further announced a special TETFund intervention this year to upgrade polytechnic engineering schools with state-of-the-art equipment, following a similar intervention for 12 medical colleges last year.

The APC in Kano State has appointed Baffa Babba Dan Agundi and Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the E-Registration Membership Committee.

Inaugurating the 14-member committee headed by Engineer Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, the Kano State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said other members of the committee include Abdul Adamu Fagge and Musa Ali Kachako.

The others are Shafi’u Abdullahi Darma, Ahmad Aruwa, Sanusi Sa’idu Kiru Majidadi, Khalid Ishaq Diso, Auwalu Ubale Minjibir, Fa’iz Alfindiki, Binta Rabi’u Spikin, Umar Muhd ​​Rabiu, Muhd ​​Tudun Wada Tweeter and Aminu Umar Dawakin Kudu as the Secretary.

Alhaji Abbas explained how the committee would function and urged the members of the committee to work hard to ensure the success of the project. He said the project would cover all the wards in the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, undertook a consultative visit to former Vice President Namadi Sambo at his Abuja residence on Tuesday. The move is part of broader efforts to reposition the party.

Following a closed-door meeting, Turaki informed journalists that the visit served to introduce the newly elected NWC members to Sambo and to brief him on the party’s current prospects and challenges in the wake of its recent National Convention in Ibadan.

He described the engagement as a critical step in restoring the PDP to its former stature as Africa’s largest political party and returning it to its “winning days.”

Turaki noted that the former Vice President offered substantial advice and guidance on rebuilding the party into a formidable platform. He highlighted Sambo’s continued commitment as a particularly significant outcome of the meeting.

“The most important assurance from His Excellency is that he is, and will remain, a dedicated member of the PDP,” Turaki stated. “He has promised to become more active in party affairs and has assured us of his availability whenever his attention is required.”

“We are encouraged that the leaders instrumental in the PDP’s past successes are firmly behind us,” he added.

Expressing confidence in the party’s revival, Turaki said that with the support of its founding figures, the PDP is poised to succeed in forthcoming elections, including the FCT Area Council polls and the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

When questioned about the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan contesting on the party’s ticket, Turaki reaffirmed the party’s decision to zone its presidential candidacy to Southern Nigeria.

He clarified that while the specific candidate is yet to be determined, the selection process will be “open, transparent, fair, and equitable.”

“Should anyone express interest in contesting, we assure Nigerians that they will be the ultimate deciders of who becomes the candidate,” Turaki said.