A bill to eliminate discrimination between Bachelor’s Degree holders and Higher National Diploma holders has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas explained that the bill proposes replacing the HND with a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree, enabling polytechnic graduates to compete on equal terms with university graduates.

The bill, sponsored by Fuad Laguda, a member from Lagos State, also highlights the importance of technical education.

Speaker Abbas noted that polytechnic boards across Nigeria have advocated for the abolition of the HND, suggesting the adoption of the Bachelor of Technology degree to ensure polytechnic graduates can compete effectively with university graduates.

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Additionally, there is a call for hybrid supervision, with the National Universities Commission overseeing the degree component of polytechnic education, while the National Board for Technical Education continues to manage the National Diploma.

He also mentioned that, given the introduction of degree programs, polytechnic institutions should have a Ph.D. holder as the rector, ensuring leadership aligns with the academic standards for degree-level education.

Following a voice vote, the bill was approved to advance to its second reading.

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