A bill to eliminate the gap between HND and Bachelor’s Degree holders passed second reading in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas explained that the bill seeks to replace HND with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) for polytechnic graduates.
This change will allow polytechnic graduates to compete fairly with university graduates in the job market and other professional opportunities.
Hon. Fuad Laguda from Lagos State sponsored the bill, which emphasizes the importance of technical education in Nigeria’s development efforts.
Speaker Abbas stated that all polytechnic boards in Nigeria support replacing HND with B.Tech to ensure graduates can compete equally.
The bill proposes a hybrid model where the National Universities Commission will supervise the degree programs in polytechnics across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will continue overseeing National Diploma (ND) programs in polytechnics nationwide.
This division ensures polytechnics offer both diplomas and degrees, with proper oversight from relevant national regulatory bodies for quality assurance.
The bill also recommends that polytechnic rectors must possess a Ph.D. as the minimum academic qualification due to the new degree programs.
This requirement aims to improve academic standards and leadership within polytechnic institutions as they begin to award B.Tech degrees.
Lawmakers approved the bill through a voice vote, allowing it to move forward in the legislative process for further deliberation.
Supporters of the bill argue that it addresses longstanding discrimination against polytechnic graduates in employment and career advancement opportunities in Nigeria.
They also believe the new structure will encourage more students to pursue technical education without fear of unequal treatment in the future.
If passed, the bill will transform polytechnic education and contribute to Nigeria’s broader goals of technological advancement and industrial development.
The bill’s passage represents a significant step toward education reform and equity in Nigeria’s higher education system for all students.
