The Federal Ministry of Education has approved the termination of new admissions into the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Pharmaceutical/Pharmacy Technology. The decision, announced on August 28, 2025, by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, aligns with global best practices in pharmaceutical manpower development.
Under the new directive, current HND students will be allowed to complete their programmes, but no fresh admissions will be permitted in any Nigerian institution. The National Diploma (ND) in Pharmacy Technician remains the approved sub-cadre qualification, while the only recognised cadres in the Federal Government’s Scheme of Service remain Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician.
This policy, according to the NBTE, is designed to streamline the career path of Pharmacy Technicians and reinforce professional standards in the health sector.
Meanwhile, the Council of HND Holders for the Advancement of Polytechnic Education in Nigeria (COHAPEN) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have welcomed the development. In a joint press briefing on September 3, 2025, both groups described the policy as a crucial step towards safeguarding pharmaceutical training and upholding the integrity of the profession.
