The Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate a legislative process to permanently abolish the long-standing disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and university degree graduates in the country.
The President of the Association, Dr. Benjamin Achiatar, made this call while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, stressing that despite previous attempts to eliminate the discrimination, its implementation remains ineffective due to the lack of legal backing.
HND-Degree Dichotomy: An Ongoing Concern
The disparity between HND and Bachelor’s degree holders has long been a subject of debate, as university graduates are often given preferential treatment in government employment and promotions, leaving HND holders at a disadvantage.
Dr. Achiatar noted that while the National Council on Establishment (NCE) had officially removed the dichotomy, the absence of a formal legal framework continues to hinder its full implementation.
“The Bill to back it up was passed at the 9th Senate but was not duly signed into law by the then president. Therefore, a new Bill needs to be sponsored or the previous one revisited by the present 10th National Assembly and sent to President Tinubu for his assent,” he said.
Declining Interest in Polytechnic Education
Achiatar highlighted a worrying trend in declining applications to polytechnics across the country. He cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which shows a yearly drop in students applying to polytechnics due to concerns over limited career opportunities for HND holders.
According to him, many Nigerian students are now seeking higher education in neighboring countries such as Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic, further contributing to the country’s ongoing brain drain.
To address this challenge, Achiatar disclosed that the association had formally requested JAMB to establish more examination centers to ensure wider access for polytechnic applicants.
Polytechnic Education and Industrial Growth
Dr. Achiatar emphasized the crucial role of technical and technological education in driving Nigeria’s industrialization. He explained that polytechnics focus heavily on hands-on, practical training, which is essential for developing a skilled workforce in science, technology, and innovation sectors.
“We handle mostly technical training in Nigeria; in the polytechnics and mono-technics, we have various courses, and we train our students both in theory and practical. The emphasis we place on practical training is what makes us different from the university,” he stated.
He called on the government to invest more in technology and vocational education, warning that neglecting this sector could have long-term consequences for the country’s industrial and economic growth.
Call for NBTE Conversion to a Commission
The association also backed the recent proposal by the Governing Councils of Polytechnics, which advocates for the conversion of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into a full-fledged commission.
According to Achiatar, upgrading the NBTE to a commission would enhance its ability to regulate polytechnics more effectively and create an avenue for them to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.
“They will have the capacity to work with the National Universities Commission to do accreditation in polytechnics for the award of B.Tech (Hons), which will attract more students,” he explained.
A Renewed Push for Policy Reform
The association reiterated its commitment to engaging with relevant stakeholders, including the National Assembly and the Presidency, to ensure that polytechnic education receives the attention it deserves.
Dr. Achiatar urged the government to take decisive action in eliminating the HND-degree disparity, arguing that creating equal opportunities for graduates, regardless of their institutions, would boost national productivity and encourage more students to consider polytechnic education.
As the debate on polytechnic reforms continues, many stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the Tinubu administration takes concrete steps to address the long-standing issue.