Northern Pulse: NBTE, EHCON deepen collaboration to deliver industry-driven HND curricula for public health sector

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) have intensified collaboration to finalise industry-driven Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula targeting Nigeria’s public health challenges.

At the national curriculum final critique workshop for HND in food hygiene and safety, environmental health monitoring and surveillance, and school health, Dr. OO Bello, Director of Curriculum Development at NBTE, described the workshop as a vital milestone in strengthening the quality and responsiveness of technical education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the final critique workshop, holds from 29 March to 3rd April, in Kaduna.

Bello, said the initiative, which began in 2024, is nearing completion and reflects a shared commitment to improving training standards in environmental health and related professions.

He noted that the curricula would shape the competencies and professional standards of future practitioners tasked with addressing complex health and environmental challenges.

According to him, rising cases of foodborne illnesses, environmental hazards, and school health concerns require well-trained professionals equipped with practical and globally relevant knowledge.

Bello explained that the workshop enables stakeholders to review earlier drafts, correct deficiencies, and ensure the programmes are academically sound, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities.

He commended the EHCON for its consistent support in developing and regulating programmes in public health, epidemiology, and disease control.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the EHCON, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed, described the session as a critical platform for expert review and constructive engagement.

He said the exercise would refine the curricula to meet national and international standards while ensuring graduates are equipped with relevant, industry-based skills.

Mohammed commended participants and partners for their commitment, noting that their contributions would significantly enrich the final outcomes of the programmes.

Declaring the workshop open, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, highlighted the urgency of strengthening preventive healthcare through targeted training programmes.

Bugaje, represented by the board's Director of Nursing and Health Technology, Salihu Ibrahim, said the curricula were designed to address public health issues, particularly food safety, where increasing infections from contaminated food remain a concern.

Bugaje stressed that preventive medicine offers a more cost-effective approach than curative care, especially in countries with limited healthcare funding like Nigeria.

He noted that the Environmental Health Council regulates multiple programmes at the National Diploma level, including public health and epidemiology, making it a key partner in sector development.

Bugaje added that the council’s broad regulatory scope positions it as a leading stakeholder in advancing health-related technical education in the country.

He called for increased funding and sustained collaboration to unlock the potential of health and environmental training programmes nationwide.

The workshop assembled experienced resource persons whose expertise, Bugaje said, would ensure the development of a robust curriculum capable of global relevance.

He expressed confidence that the final document would withstand the test of time and contribute significantly to national development and improved public health outcomes.(NAN)