Photo : Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The Federal Government has mandated a one-year training program for Higher National Diploma (HND) holders as a prerequisite for promotion within the civil service.
Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, announced this new policy during a virtual interactive session with civil servants, which was part of the 2024 Civil Service Week celebrations.
The theme of this year’s Civil Service Week is “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Life-long, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa.” This theme underscores the necessity of an educational system that equips individuals with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the modern world.
Dr. Yemi-Esan explained that the mandatory one-year training program aims to bridge the educational gap between HND qualifications awarded by polytechnics and bachelor’s degrees from universities. This issue has been a longstanding point of contention between the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Despite the Ninth National Assembly passing a bill in 2021 to eliminate the disparity between HNDs and bachelor’s degrees, the bill was not signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari. In response, the NBTE introduced a one-year top-up program to help HND holders upgrade their qualifications to a bachelor’s degree.
During the virtual session, Dr. Yemi-Esan addressed a question from Adebayo Hassan, a Grade Level 14 civil servant, who inquired about the government’s efforts to bridge the gap between B.Sc and HND holders in the civil service. Dr. Yemi-Esan responded, stating, “The curriculum for HND and B.Sc holders is different, hence HND graduates are required to undergo a mandatory one-year training before they can be converted from the Executive to Officers cadre.”
This new policy reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that civil servants possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively. The one-year training program is designed to provide HND holders with additional education and training that aligns more closely with the curriculum of bachelor’s degree programs.
Discussing the broader implications of the 2024 Civil Service Week’s theme, Dr. Yemi-Esan emphasized the critical role of accessible, inclusive, and high-quality education in building a capable and resilient workforce. She stated, “The theme also highlights how the Nigerian Civil Service is leveraging learning and development to enhance the capacity and capability of its workforce to achieve national priorities.”
By mandating this training program, the Federal Government aims to ensure that all civil servants, regardless of their initial educational background, have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to advance their careers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the Nigerian Civil Service and align it with international best practices.
The policy also aims to address the practical differences between polytechnic and university education. Polytechnic programs typically focus on practical and technical skills, while university programs offer a more theoretical and research-oriented approach. By requiring HND holders to undergo additional training, the government hopes to standardize the qualifications of all civil servants, ensuring a more uniform and equitable promotion process.
This initiative is expected to foster a more inclusive and merit-based civil service, where promotions are based on demonstrated competence and readiness for higher responsibilities. The mandatory training program will also likely encourage lifelong learning and professional development among civil servants, which is essential for maintaining a dynamic and effective workforce.
The Federal Government’s new policy requiring a one-year training program for HND holders before their promotion is a significant step towards bridging the educational gap between polytechnic and university graduates. This move stresses the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality and inclusivity of the Nigerian Civil Service, ensuring that all employees have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to succeed in their careers. Through this initiative, the government aims to build a more capable, resilient, and modern civil service that can effectively address the challenges of the 21st century.
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