Kwara State University, Malete, has announced it will phase out its Top-Up/HND Conversion programme from the 2025/2026 academic session, following new regulatory directives from the National Universities Commission NUC.

The decision was contained in a public announcement signed by the Registrar, Kikelomo Sallee, and made available to the university community and the general public. The statement explained that the move is a direct response to guidelines issued by the NUC, which oversees all universities in Nigeria and has been reviewing the status and structure of HND-to-degree conversion schemes nationwide.

The Top-Up/HND Conversion programme was designed to enable holders of Higher National Diplomas to obtain bachelor’s degrees by undertaking additional coursework. Its discontinuation means prospective candidates will no longer be able to enroll in the scheme at KWASU from the 2025/2026 session onward.

However, the university stressed that current students will not be abandoned. It noted that the NUC will issue specific directives on the status and progression of those already admitted into the programme, indicating that transitional arrangements are expected to be clarified in due course.

KWASU used the announcement to reaffirm its commitment to regulatory compliance and academic quality, stating that it remains “firmly committed to ethical standards” and will continue to abide by all NUC policies. The institution framed the decision as part of a broader effort to align fully with national benchmarks for university education.

The development comes on the heels of a major accreditation milestone for the university. KWASU recently secured full accreditation for nine undergraduate programmes during an NUC accreditation exercise, underscoring its drive to strengthen core academic offerings even as it winds down the HND conversion route.

The programmes that received full accreditation include Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Environmental Health Science, English, Linguistics, Performing Arts, Computer Science and Microbiology. The accreditation status is valid for the statutory period of three years.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh described the successful reaccreditation as evidence of the university’s commitment to academic excellence and the dedication of staff and other stakeholders. He urged members of the university community to continue delivering “premium service,” adding that management would not relent in efforts to advance the institution’s standing within Nigeria’s higher education landscape.