NBTE ANNOUNCES MAJOR REFORMS: NID PROGRAMME DISCONTINUED, 46 INSTITUTIONS UPGRADED, 136 LICENSES REVOKED

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) wishes to inform the general public and stakeholders in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector of recent approvals granted by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, aimed at harmonizing and strengthening the National Diploma (ND) system across the country.

In line with the Minister’s directive, the National Innovation Diploma (NID) programme has been discontinued with immediate effect. According to the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, the policy seeks to establish a unified and harmonized National Diploma framework that ensures academic progression and consistency across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

By this directive, the category of institutions previously known as Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs) is hereby abolished. Institutions currently running the NID programme are permitted to graduate students in Year II, while Year I students (October 2025 admissions) may either complete the NID programme or switch to its ND equivalent.

Furthermore, the Honourable Minister has approved the upgrade of 46 Innovation Enterprise Institutions that possess valid accreditation to National Diploma-awarding status (Click to view list). This upgrade forms part of ongoing efforts to create a streamlined and progressive TVET structure in Nigeria. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been duly notified of this development to ensure a smooth transition in the national admissions process.

In a related development, the Executive Secretary has also issued a circular conveying the Minister’s approval for the revocation of operational licenses of 136 Innovation Enterprise Institutions whose accreditation had lapsed without renewal by their proprietors. Consequently, these institutions will be delisted from the JAMB portal and will no longer admit students into NID programmes. However, affected institutions may operate as sub-tertiary institutions (secondary school level) if they meet the regulatory requirements for that category (Click to view list).

The Executive Secretary reaffirmed NBTE’s commitment to enhancing quality assurance, ensuring institutional compliance, and expanding access to quality technical education in Nigeria. These reforms represent a significant milestone toward building a more efficient, credible, and globally competitive TVET system that supports national development goals.