Reps Advances Bill To Abolish HND/BSc Dichotomy, Passes Second Reading
Members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously backed a bill seeking to eliminate the long-standing distinction between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) holders in the country.
The bill, jointly sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Other Technical Education, Hon. Fuad Laguda, aims to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap. F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The proposed amendments seek to redefine the functions of polytechnics and address related concerns.
Leading the debate, Hon. Laguda emphasized that the bill promotes the expansion of polytechnics across Nigeria to strengthen technical education. He added that it also seeks to enhance the powers of educational boards and incorporate representation from the Nigerian Technical Board.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas highlighted that the bill’s primary goal is to end the BSc/HND divide by replacing the HND with a B.Tech degree. This, he explained, would allow polytechnic graduates to compete more effectively with their university counterparts.
Following deliberations, lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, approving it for a second reading before referring it to the House Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Education.
Other Legislative Developments, During the same session, the House passed another bill through its second reading. This bill seeks to establish a Legislative Security Directorate within the National Assembly, define its functions and set qualifications and conditions of service for the Sergeant-at-Arms and other personnel.
The bill was sponsored by Hon. Rotimi Akintunde, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
Tuesday’s plenary also welcomed a delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, who attended to observe legislative proceedings.
Majority Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, citing House Standing Order Six, Rule 4 (1) and (2), moved for their admittance, emphasizing the significance of international parliamentary engagement in fostering legislative best practices.
