[News] Senate passes bill abolishing HND/BSc dichotomy

The Nigerian Senate today June 2 passed a bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between higher national diploma (HND) and bachelor’s degree in the country.

The bill which was sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, passed the third reading on the floor of the Senate during plenary today after Ahmad Kaita, chairman of the committee on tertiary institutions, presented a report and six clauses were voted on by the senators.

While presenting his report, Kaita said the legislation when assented to and passed will give polytechnic graduates confidence and impact the country’s economy positively.

The Senate during its Committee of the whole, approved all the clauses of the bill. Speaking after the approval, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said polytechnic graduates will be encouraged by this action.

“Congratulations to the senate. This particular issue has been on the front burner for a long time. I recall that in the house between 2003 and 2007, this was one bill that was so important and it is a way of encouraging our polytechnic graduates.

This should not take away the kind of training they give but should be a motivation for our polytechnic graduates.”he said

The House of Representatives passed its own version of the bill in May 2019.

A conference committee will be set up by both chambers to harmonize the proposed law after which it will be sent to the president for assent.