HND-BSc Dichotomy: Senate Amends Polytechnic Act, Gives Federal Polytechnics Power To Award BTech Degrees

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Daud Olatunji

The Senate has amended the Federal Polytechnic Act to empower federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes.

The amendment, adopted during plenary on Thursday, followed the Senate’s decision to reverse its earlier position on the legislation, which restricted federal polytechnics to awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications.

Under the revised provision, federal polytechnics will be able to award B.Tech. Hons. degrees to holders of ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission and other relevant regulatory bodies.

The decision could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, where polytechnic graduates have historically raised concerns about unequal treatment compared with their university counterparts, particularly in employment, promotion and career advancement.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion for the reconsideration of the Act during Thursday’s plenary.

Bamidele said certain provisions of Sections 2, 8 and 31 required further legislative scrutiny to provide administrative clarity and establish a comprehensive legal framework for the operation of federal polytechnics.

He consequently urged the Senate to recommit the legislation to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and amendment.

The lawmakers subsequently considered the proposed changes, which were put to a voice vote by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The amendment was adopted without any recorded opposition during the debate.

What the amendment provides

A major component of the amendment is the introduction of a new subsection, Section 2(1)(c), which expressly empowers federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees in science, engineering and technology programmes.

The provision states that the institutions may award the degrees to holders of ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, provided the programmes receive the required accreditation from the NUC and other relevant regulatory agencies.

The amendment also revises Section 8 of the Act, which deals with the appointment and tenure of rectors in federal polytechnics.

Under the revised provision, the governing council of a polytechnic will appoint a rector for an initial five-year term, with eligibility for a second and final term of four years.

Section 31 is also amended to redefine a minister as the officer responsible for education.

HND-BSc disparity

The legislative intervention comes amid longstanding concerns over the disparity between holders of university Bachelor of Science degrees and polytechnic graduates with Higher National Diplomas.

Despite both qualifications being obtained from recognised tertiary institutions, HND holders have historically faced restrictions in some public and private sector establishments, particularly in recruitment grades, promotion prospects and eligibility for certain positions.