By Blessing Obi
In a significant move toward educational reform, the House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to abolish the long-standing dichotomy between Bachelor’s Degree holders and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in Nigeria.
The bill, which has now passed its second reading, aims to replace HND qualifications with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) to create a level playing field for graduates from both polytechnics and universities.
Sponsored by Fuad Laguda, a lawmaker from Lagos State, the bill underscores the importance of technical education in the country’s development and seeks to elevate polytechnic graduates to a competitive status in the labor market. Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasized the need for this transformation, stating that the collective stance of all polytechnic boards in Nigeria is to phase out the HND qualification and introduce a B.Tech degree instead.
“The abolition of HND and its replacement with a Bachelor of Technology will ensure that polytechnic graduates can compete on equal footing with their university counterparts,” Abbas said.
A notable provision in the bill is the proposed hybrid supervision of polytechnic education. Under the new framework, the National Universities Commission (NUC) will oversee the degree component of polytechnics, while the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will continue to regulate the National Diploma (ND) programs. This approach aims to align polytechnic education more closely with university standards while maintaining its technical and vocational essence.
Additionally, the bill proposes an upgrade in the qualification requirements for polytechnic rectors. Given the transition to degree programs, the position of rector would require a minimum of a Ph.D. holder, ensuring that polytechnic leadership aligns with university-level academic standards.
The proposed reform has sparked discussions across the education sector, with many seeing it as a long-overdue step toward bridging the perceived inequality between university and polytechnic graduates. For decades, HND holders have faced challenges such as limited career progression and wage disparities compared to their counterparts with Bachelor’s Degrees.
Following a voice vote, lawmakers unanimously approved the bill to move forward, signaling broad legislative support for the initiative. If successfully passed into law, the reform could mark a new era for technical education in Nigeria, promoting inclusivity and equity in the country’s academic and professional landscapes.
