19/09/2025
๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ข๐๐ค ๐๐๐โฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ
This may sound a little controversial, and may trigger some minds but please take it in good faith:
๐๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐, ๐ข๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ฌ.
These qualifications are valuable for technical, professional, and industrial (โhandworkโ) careers, but the academic system has not given them the recognition they deserve.
In many countries, they are hardly accepted, and even the institutions that award them may not employ their own graduates as lecturers. So, if academia is your goal, choose a pathway that keeps the doors open.
Why? Because academia runs on a clear progression: Bachelorโs โ Masterโs โ PhD.
With HND/HPD, you often face extra challenges like conversion programs, extra year (s) for a degree and many opportunities will be closed. In most cases, the pay package for HND holders is usually less than that of Grade 1 teaching positions in basic education
If you love science and want to research or teach, go for BSc programs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering.
If your passion is for people and society, explore BA or BSc programs in Education, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Political Science, or Languages.
If youโre more business-minded, go for Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Management.
If your interest is health, choose Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Public Health where possible.
I know many students canโt clearly explain why they chose what theyโre studying, but please donโt choose HND programs just because they seem easier to navigate, are offered by nearby institutions, or have flexible fee payment plans. Your career is more important than short-term convenience.
My point is simple: Choose your path based on where you see yourself tomorrow. If academia is the goal, build on a degree foundation. If industry and technical expertise is the goal, HND/HPD can serve you well.
Theophilus Nang