Termination Of Admission for HND in Pharmaceutical Pharmacy Technology
Federal Ministry of Education has announces the Termination Of Admission for HND in Pharmaceutical/Pharmacy Technology
The Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria has approved the termination of new admissions into the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Pharmaceutical or Pharmacy Technology program. This decision, announced by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education – NBTE, Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, on August 28, 2025, is in line with global best practices on pharmaceutical manpower development.
Understanding the Termination of Admission Process
The directive allows current students to complete their studies but prohibits any new enrolments in all institutions in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the National Diploma (ND) Pharmacy Technician program will continue as the approved sub-cadre qualification in Pharmacy profession.
Consequently, the only approved cadre in Pharmacy Profession as already contained in the Scheme of Service of the Federal Government of Nigeria remains “Pharmacist” and “Pharmacy Technician”. This new policy reinforces the career path for Pharmacy Technicians in Nigeria.
This policy, according to the NBTE, is designed to streamline the career path of Pharmacy Technicians and reinforce professional standards in the health sector.
The Council of HND Holders for the Advancement of Polytechnic Education in Nigeria (COHAPEN) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students[NAPS] have also publicly supported the Federal Government’s decision in the Termination Of Admission for HND in Pharmaceutical/Pharmacy Technology. In a joint press conference on September 3, 2025, the groups praised the move as a crucial step towards safeguarding pharmaceutical training standards and ensuring the profession’s integrity
What Remains Open
The National Diploma (ND) Pharmacy Technician programme continues untouched. It stays as the recognised sub-cadre in the pharmacy field. Put simply, the Federal Government has reaffirmed that the only accepted roles are:
Pharmacist
Pharmacy Technician
No room in between. This clear line, officials argue, strengthens the profession and avoids confusion on who fits where.
Looking Ahead
So, where does that leave aspiring students? The message is plain: aim for the ND Pharmacy Technician programme if that is the chosen path, or go further to become a Pharmacist. The HND door has been closed, perhaps for good.
As one old saying goes, you cannot run two markets with one coin. The government has made its pick, and everyone has to follow that track. For current students, it is business as usual until graduation day. For new applicants, the road now points elsewhere.
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