Top-Up Programme: Nigerian Universities Where You Can Convert HND to BSc

There are two major ways to convert your HND certificate to a Bachelor’s degree in Nigeria: 1) Through Nigerian universities that have top-up programmes 2) Through the HND to BSc programme through NBTE Portal.

In the U.S., there are more than 70 universities that accept HND degrees for Masters unlike Nigeria, where polytechnic graduates are marginalised for such programmes. However, you can enrol for a top-up programme.

Requirements for Top-Up Programme:

• HND lower credit and above
• Sometimes, O’level depends on the institution.

Some of them, have study centres spread across the country for easy accessibility while more universities are jumping on board to run the programme. See the full list below:

Nigerian Universities Where You Can Convert Polytechnic Certificate to University Degree

The list of universities where you can that convert your Higher National Diploma to Bachelor of Science in Nigeria are:

• University of Lagos
• Saint Monica University (SMU), Cameroon
• Lagos State University
• University Of Ibadan
• Kwara State University
• Alhikmah University
• Babcock University
• Federal University Oye-Ekiti
• Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo
• Ignatius AJuru University Of Education
• Haute Ecole de Gestion et de Technologie (HEGT) University, Benin republic
• Bells University Of Technology
• Delta State University
• Wesley University

University of Lagos

Popularly known as UNILAG, the University has eight courses ready for conversion to BSc in the following courses: Marketing, Economics, Public Administration and Banking and Finance.

Others include Accounting, Business Administration, Insurance and Secretariat Administration.

In one of our posts, find more details about UNILAG HND conversion.

Saint Monica University

Also known as SMU, Saint Monica University is Cameroonian higher institution which has offices in Calabar, Lagos and Ikom.

SMU has two courses for conversion, they are:

• Registered Nursing to Degree
• Lab Technician

HND Conversion at Lagos State University

At LASU, the top-up programme is available in the following courses:

• Electronic and Computer Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

More details about HND conversion at LASU can be found HERE

University Of Ibadan

This programme is available on all courses. However, it is done through a Direct Entry programme.
Applicants with Upper credit during their HND programme can apply for the University of Ibadan Direct Entry programme.

Such applicants will be admitted to 300L,

Kwara State University

At KWASU this programme runs for six semesters in a select few courses. Candidates are issued BSc at the end of their programme. You can find an in-depth analysis of the programme in one of our posts.

Alhikmah University

Another HND conversion university is Al-Hikmah, one of the cheapest private universities in Nigeria. Within two years, you’re done. For requirements and tuition fees, check out our post on Al-Hikmah University Topup HND/BSc conversion programme

Babcock University

Babcock is one of the HND Conversion Universities in the following courses: Accounting, Business Administration, Political Science and Public Administration.

Others are Banking and Finance, Computer Science and Mass Communication.

HND conversion at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)

FUOYE is well known for this programme. The programme isn’t exclusive for HND holders, it is also designed for those who want to remedy their first-degree result e.g someone with a Pass or 3rd Class. The good part is that FOUYE has more than 30 courses under its topup programme. You can check FOUYE requirements for topup programmes in our of our articles.

Ajayi Crowther University

Ajayi Crowther University is also an institution offering an HND conversion programme in Nigeria. One of the programmes offered by the ACU is Degree of Bachelor of Environmental Health Science.

Method of Application:

• Visit www.acu.edu.ng to download the application form
• Fill and submit to the institution’s main campus at Oyo-Ogbomosho Road, Oyo

Duration: 3 years

Ignatius AJuru University Of Education

IUAE is among HND Conversion Universities in Nigeria. A source told InfomediaNG that the top-up programme lasts for a year at IUAE.

Haute Ecole de Gestion et de Technologie (HEGT) University, Benin republic

In the Republic of Benin is HEGT which runs a programme in a top-up degree programme in the following courses: Accounting and Finance, Theater Arts, Business Administration and Electrical Electronics Engineering.

Others include Human Resource Management, Marketing and Psychology.

HND Conversion at Bells University Of Technology

Another HND Conversion University in Nigeria is Bells University. It isn’t limited to HND alone, a 3rd graduate can also apply to graduate with higher grades.

Delta State University

Available courses at DELSU for HND conversion programme are Fine and Applied Arts, Marketing, Banking and Finance, Accounting, Business Administration and Mass Communication.

Others include Engineering, Computer Science, and Office Technology Management.

Converting Your HND Certificate to University Degree Through NBTE Online Portal

The second method to upgrade your HND certificate to a University Degree is through a recent programme launched by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

• Duration: One year
• Application fee: USD 100 (prevailing exchange rate applies, which is N1,190 to a Dollar at the time of updating this page

The NBTE online portal for top-up programme was unveiled on Monday, August 14, 2023, to facilitate the progression of HND holders to higher degrees.

Having satisfied the requirements earlier mentioned –  own a HND certificate in one of the recognised and approved polytechnics and monotechnics – here is the step-by-step process of how HND holders can convert their certificates to a Bachelor’s degree through NBTE online portal:

• Visit the NBTE admission portal at admission.topup.nbte.gov.ng to create an account
• Verify your account
• Your HND matriculation Number and Date of Birth will serve as your login details.
• Submit all your details and submit the application
• Select a university programme that aligns with the technical and vocational fields under the purview of NBTE.
• Select an institution you want to study
• Check their program and other details.
• Check under the application status for the form fees (USD 100) for the institution of your choice to process your admission.
• Go payments tab to download your fee receipt for the application form fee payment.
• You will receive an email from the institute for the approval of your admission
• Then you can go to my application and download your admission letter

You’re enrolled! Details of online classes and the courses you will offer will be communicated to you.

Why Should I Upgrade My HND to BSc?

BSc/HND Dichotomy and Discrimination is a bill that is aimed at prohibiting employers in the country from discriminating between first degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.

But discrimination continues and that is why graduates of polytechnics in Nigeria take steps to convert their HND to BSC. You’ll get the list of Nigerian universities where you can upgrade your HND to BSC. It is a year programme.

Are Polytechnic and University Graduates Equal in Nigeria?

Practically, HND holders have repeatedly shown that they are more technically qualified than their counterparts with University degrees. Unfortunately, it seems no one cares about that in the labour market.

If you are an HND holder, don’t rejoice over the National Assembly Bill to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma. Because an employer will not tell you why he places a BSc or BA holder over you.

The discrimination between polytechnic and university graduates is unofficial. As such, it’s advisable to upgrade your HND to BSc.

Following what some graduates from the polytechnics described as stigmatisation, the desire of HND holders to obtain a university degree continues to grow, no wonder some state governments are already upgrading polytechnics and colleges of education in their jurisdiction to university e.g LAPOTECH to LASUTECH.

But instead of starting afresh, some Nigerian universities now have a special programme called HND to BSc conversion or top-up programme.

Tips about converting HND to BSc Programme

1. Steer clear of any advert which claims that you can convert HND to BSc within three months. It’s FAKE!

2. HND conversion is run as a part-time programme at Nigerian universities

3. HND conversion is also known as Top-Up degree programme

4. It is better to run the top-up programme in Nigerian universities than the study centre of some of the foreign universities whose authenticity is doubtful.

5. Beware of dubious individuals who pose as university agents.

6. Some of the information you need about the top-up HND conversion programme can be found on the official portal of the university that runs such programme.