The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill that seeks to abolish the BSC/HND dichotomy before his departure from office on May 29.
ASUP’s National President, Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, emphasized that the dichotomy has discouraged young Nigerians from pursuing polytechnic education in the country.
He expressed that President Buhari’s assent to the bill would leave a lasting legacy.
In a recent interview in Abuja, Ezeibe stated, “We are urging President Buhari to go ahead and sign that bill into law. That is another way of saving this sector.
As we speak, the Roman figures are dropping significantly because the sector is losing its attraction to young people. So we expect him to sign this bill.
Other stakeholders in the sector have also been calling for him to do so. It will be an enduring legacy if Mr. President succeeds in doing this before he leaves office.”
Ezeibe highlighted that stakeholders in the polytechnic education sector had appealed to the Ninth National Assembly to pass the “Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma.”
This bill aims to address the discrimination faced by polytechnic graduates in employment and career advancement, as compared to their university counterparts.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly in 2021, has been presented to President Buhari for his assent before it can become law.
Sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, the legislation seeks to put an end to the disparities faced by polytechnic graduates. It passed the third reading on the Senate floor, with all the amended clauses receiving approval.
Ibrahim Shekarau, Chairman of the Joint Committee and APC representative from Kano Central, stated, “The enactment of the bill to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diploma for the purpose of employment in Nigeria will no doubt free holders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
He further emphasized that unlike university graduates, HND holders cannot rise to Grade Level GL 17 in the civil service and are placed on a lower entry-level.
The signing of this bill into law would mark a significant step towards eliminating the discrimination faced by polytechnic graduates and promoting equal opportunities in the Nigerian workforce.