FG Ends HND Admissions in Pharmaceutical/Pharm. Technology
The Federal Ministry of Education has stopped admissions into HND in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacy Technology. Current students can finish their studies but no new enrolments will be allowed. The approved cadres remain Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician, so candidates are urged to take note.
On 28 August 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education made a sweeping decision that will shape the training of pharmacy professionals in Nigeria. Through the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof Idris M. Bugaje, it was declared that no new admissions will be allowed into the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Pharmaceutical or Pharmacy Technology.
This news may sound like a door slamming shut, but for those already enrolled, there is no need for panic. They are permitted to finish their programme and graduate, only that fresh entries are no longer welcome.
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.
Support From Stakeholders
On 3 September 2025, two groups, COHAPEN (Council of HND Holders for the Advancement of Polytechnic Education in Nigeria) and NAPS (National Association of Polytechnic Students), stood in front of reporters to echo their support. They said the decision was wise, calling it a safeguard for the standards of pharmacy training. According to them, this will also protect the reputation of the profession in the long run.
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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