Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education has stopped new admissions into the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Pharmaceutical or Pharmacy Technology.
The decision, announced on August 28 by Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), aims to align pharmaceutical training with global standards.
While current HND students will be allowed to complete their programmes, no new enrolments will be accepted. The National Diploma (ND) Pharmacy Technician course will remain in place as the recognised sub-cadre in the profession.
Under the revised policy, the only approved roles in pharmacy are “Pharmacist” and “Pharmacy Technician,” as contained in the Federal Government’s scheme of service.
The Council of HND Holders for the Advancement of Polytechnic Education in Nigeria (COHAPEN) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have endorsed the move, describing it as crucial to maintaining training standards and preserving the integrity of the profession.
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