The Federal Government has declared that Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates must complete a one-year mandatory training before being eligible for conversion from executive to officers cadre.
This announcement was made by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, during a virtual interactive session commemorating the 2024 Civil Service Week.
Dr. Yemi-Esan emphasized the necessity of this training to bridge the gap between polytechnic-awarded HNDs and university degrees, addressing longstanding debates between the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Despite a bill passed by the Ninth National Assembly in 2021 to end the HND-B.Sc dichotomy, it was not signed into law by the previous administration.
The NBTE has since introduced a one-year top-up program for HND holders to elevate their qualifications towards a bachelor’s degree.
Dr. Yemi-Esan highlighted the differing curriculums for HND and B.Sc holders, justifying the need for additional training for HND graduates aiming to move into the officers’ cadre.
During the session, she also discussed the 2024 Civil Service Week theme, focusing on making education accessible, inclusive, and high-quality to meet modern demands.
Dr. Yemi-Esan outlined the adoption of a Performance Management System (PMS) within the Nigerian Civil Service, which will assess officers based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enhance efficiency and track objectives across all ministries.
She further noted the digital transformation within the Service, with full digitalization of personal and policy files, and the implementation of electronic workflow processes for official correspondences.
This new directive aims to elevate the standards and capabilities of civil servants, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the nation’s evolving needs.
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