Rectors and Provosts from polytechnics and other TVET-awarding institutions are set to engage in a pivotal debate on replacing the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme with a Bachelor of Technology degree.
The National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) has extended an invitation to these key stakeholders for a national dialogue aimed at addressing the future of the HND programme.
This dialogue comes on the heels of a recently passed bill in the Senate, designed to remove the longstanding dichotomy between Bachelor’s degrees and Higher National Diplomas in employment and promotion practices.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, successfully passed its third reading in the Senate, reflecting broad legislative support.
The primary purpose of the bill is to abolish and prohibit discrimination against polytechnic graduates, thereby ensuring they receive equal treatment in the job market and career advancement opportunities as their university-educated counterparts.
Ibrahim Shekarau, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Education, has expressed strong support for the bill, highlighting its potential to prevent the stagnation of HND holders and to promote balanced treatment for all graduates.
The upcoming national dialogue will focus not only on the immediate issue of discrimination against HND holders but also on the broader proposal to transition from awarding HNDs to Bachelor of Technology degrees.
Additionally, the dialogue aims to renew the call for Presidential assent to the bill, a crucial step towards officially abolishing the degree and HND dichotomy.