EDUCATION

Nigeria Polytechnics with Accredited Online ND and HND Programs (ODFEL)

A polytechnic is a college or institution of higher learning leading to the award of a national diploma (ND) or a higher national diploma (HND).

There are some individuals who love to pursue their career and further their education, but due to the nature of their work, they cannot be physically available to attend lectures and carry out necessary academic activities like full-time students do. This is the advantage of the online ND and HND programs, which enable students to study at their convenience right from the comfort of their homes.

Open, distance, flexible, and e-learning ND and HND program is known as ODFEL, and only a few polytechnics are accredited to run this programme.

The online ND/HND program is for working-class students, civil servants, and individuals with busy schedules.

Lectures are held online with the necessary materials, while examinations are carried out physically, meaning you don’t have to set foot on campus except during examinations and during registration formalities that require the signing of documents.

The Nigeria Polytechnics with Accredited Online ND and HND Programs are:

1. YABATECH.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted approval to Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State, to commence open, distance, flexible, and e-learning. Open, Distance, Flexible, and e-Learning is a mode of study that blends open learning principles, distance education, and e-learning with traditional face-to-face learning. It eliminates the traditional barriers and increases access to the acquisition of knowledge by allowing flexibility in the choice of time, pace, and place of learning.

The approval covers all the accredited programs at the college, but the programs will commence in phases. There will be an interactive online learning platform with tools and resources to support the learners and enhance education delivery management. All the practical sessions and examinations shall be conducted in the traditional face-to-face mode.

The available programs for a national diploma are: accounting, business administration, computer science, mass communication, public administration, and science laboratory technology.

The available online programs for a Higher National Diploma (HND) are: accounting, business administration, computer science, mass communication, public administration, and science laboratory technology.

The above-stated courses are the accredited ND and HND online programs you can study at Yabatech. You will get the same certificate as the full-time students. The only difference is school fees and teaching mode.

2. Federal Polytechnic Ilaro.

Ilaro Polytechnic, Ogun State, is among the list of polytechnics accredited by NBTE to run online ND and HND programs. This program takes a duration of 2 to 3 years, and the school fees are 1x higher than regular full-time and part-time school fees.

The following individuals are eligible for the online ND and HND programs at Ilaro Polytechnic:

individuals who aspire to achieve educational and career development, irrespective of location and distance;
regular students who could not cope with their studies due to other engagements, e.g., self-sponsored students;
individuals with impairments or disabilities but have a passion for higher technical education; and
individuals who desire to explore digital learning opportunities.

The courses available under the online and distance learning program are: computer science, public administration, mass communication, accounting, and business administration.

The modes of admission into the programs are:

The direct admission is for candidates who choose ODFeL, with admission offered using UTME and O levels.
The Spin-Off Students platform is for candidates who transfer from the regular program to the ODFeL program; the academic records of such students will be automatically transferred to the latter program, and they will graduate with the same certificate offered to regular students.
Spin-off students are also for students whose cumulative grade point average (CGPA) falls in the PASS range or below.
Applicants will be required to register through JAMB by selecting Distance Learning on the JAMB Portal.

3. Kwara State Polytechnic.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has approved Kwara State Polytechnic as one of the institutions to run the Open, Distance, Flexible, and e-Learning (ODFeL) programs. The available online ND/HND programs are Accountancy, Business Administration and Management, Computer Science, Library and Information Science, Marketing, Mass Communication, Public Administration, Quantity Surveying, and Science Laboratory Technology.

4. Federal Polytechnic Auchi.

Auchi Polytechnic Open, Distance, Flexible, and e-Learning Programme (ODFeL) eliminates the traditional barriers and increases access to the acquisition of knowledge with flexibility in the choice of time, pace, and place of learning. Available programs are ND and HND in Business Administration and Management, Public Administration, Accountancy, Marketing, Quantity Surveying, Computer Science, Mass Communication, and Library & Information Science.

5. Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti is among the polytechnics accredited by NBTE to run the ODFEL program.

6. Federal Polytechnic Idah.

Federal polytechnic Offers the ODFEL online ND and HND programs. Practicals are conducted physically.

7. Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

This institution is located in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

8. OSPOLY.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has approved Osun State Polytechnic Iree as one of the accredited institutions for open and flexible e-learning centers in Nigeria for the award of national diploma and higher national diploma programs.

9. Federal Polytechnic, Nekede-Owerri.

The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, is a federally owned higher education institution located in Nekede, Owerri West local government area in Imo State, south-eastern Nigeria, accredited to run the online ND and HND programs.

10. Kaduna Polytechnic.

The ODFeL program at Kaduna Polytechnic is designed to provide flexible learning opportunities to individuals who are unable to pursue traditional on-campus education due to various constraints. It aims to make education accessible to a wider range of learners, including working professionals, individuals residing in remote areas, and those with other commitments.

Available programs are accounting, banking and finance, business administration and management, computer science, human resource management, mass communication, production and operation management, and public administration.

11. Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic.

Formerly, Sokoto State Polytechnic is a great institution, and their online ND and HND programs school fees are cheaper compared to other schools.

12. Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.

The Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda is located at Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State. The polytechnic is among the polytechnics accredited by NBTE for online ND and HND programs.

13. Kano State Polytechnic.

Kano Polytechnic operates on two campuses, and the institution offers online ND and HND programs.

14. Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu.

Federal Polytechnic Damaturu Open, Distance, and Flexible e-Learning (ODFeL) offers a wide range of courses to help individuals grow in their selected fields of study with rich learning experiences. Available programs are ND/HND Estate Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Accounting, Business Administration and Management Studies, Marketing, Public Administration, Computer Science, and Statistics.

15. Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has approved Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, as one of the institutions to run the Open, Distance, Flexible, and e-Learning (ODFeL) programs.

16. The polytechnic in Ibadan.

POLY IBADAN currently offers online National Diploma (ND) Programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Mass Communication, and Public Administration and Management. The polytechnic currently offers Higher National Diploma (HND) Programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Mass Communication, and Public Administration and Management.

17. Federal Polytechnic, Bali.

Federal Polytechnic Bali is situated in Taraba State, Nigeria. The online programs are via e-learning and can be accessed from any device all over the world.

18. Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi.

The institution was founded in 1978 as a College of Technology on the site of Government Technical College, Bukuru. It became a polytechnic in 1980. The NBTE in 2020 accredited PLAPOLY for online ND and HND programs.

19. Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure.

HAFED POLY Kazaure, Jigawa State, is among the lists of polytechnics approved to run the ODFEL programs. HAFED POLY school fees are affordable, and the mode of admission is cheap and easier.

20. Federal Polytechnic,Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.

This school is located in Ile-Oluji, Oke Igbo local government area of Ondo State. They offer online ND and HND programs.

21. Federal Polytechnic Offa.

The school management expressed its readiness to embrace ODFeL, aiming to make education more accessible to individuals who may find conventional institutions financially challenging.

22. Lapo Institute for Microfinance and Management Studies, Benin.

LAPO Institute is a Benin City-based center of excellence in microfinance and enterprise development. The Institute has been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Federal Ministry of Education to run National Diploma (ND) Microfinance and Enterprise Development.

23. Ajayi Polytechnic, Ikere-Ekiti.

Ajayi Polytechnic is a private polytechnic located in Ikere, Ekiti State.

READ MORE: After a National Diploma (ND) in Polytechnic, What Next? (A must-read for ND holders)

24. Ogun State Institute of Technology.

The ODFeL scheme is a combination of both completely remote (online learning) and traditional offline classroom instruction, with the examination mode also either physical or online, as the student so desires.

The approval for ODFeL at the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, was issued on August 12, 2020, in line with the global trend of digitalization. The scheme is to kickstart the 2023–2024 academic session for student application, entry, and full operation.

25. Dorben Polytechnic, Bwari

Dorben Polytechnic is a private polytechnic in Abuja.

26. Heritage Polytechnic.

Open, Distance, Flexible, and e-Learning (ODFeL) is approved by NBTE. Available online courses for ND/HND programs are: public administration, business administration, mass communication, computer science, and accounting. Entry requirement: ND: Five O’ level credits in relevant subjects at not more than two sittings.

27. Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.

28. Abuja School of Pensions and Retirement Planning, Abuja.

29. Niger Polytechnic, Zungeru.

30. Osun State College of Technology.

31. Federal Polytechnic Bida

32. Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa

33. Federal Polytechnic, Ede

34. Akanu-Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana Afikpo

35. Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo;

36. Federal Polytechnic Mubi

37. Edo State Polytechnic, Usen

38. Citi Polytechnic, Abuja.

39. Mai Idris Aloma Polytechnic, Geidam.

The objectives of ODFeL programs are to:

enable everyone to learn anywhere, anytime, and anyhow using educational technologies;
to expand e-learning access to regular students and bring on-board passive students; and
provide study opportunities to individuals who could not enroll in the regular class as a result of other engagements.