Rep. Kayode Laguda has renewed calls for the abolition of the HND/BSc dichotomy, describing it as a long-standing injustice in Nigeria’s education and employment systems.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Education, Rep. Kayode Laguda, has renewed calls for the abolition of the long-standing HND/BSc dichotomy in Nigeria’s education system, according to a report from VANGUARD.
Laguda made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Bi-annual Lecture Series and Awards organised by the Federal Polytechnics Oko Alumni Association, Abuja branch.
Speaking on the theme, “HND/BSc Dichotomy: Matters Arising,” Laguda urged stakeholders to strengthen efforts toward ending discrimination against Higher National Diploma holders. He said he had sponsored the “Higher National Diploma Discrimination (Prohibition) Bill, 2024” to address what he described as a “long standing injustice.” According to him, the bill aims to ensure equal treatment of HND and BSc holders in employment, promotion, and further studies. “It is about restoring dignity to technical education and rewarding competence, not titles,” he said.
He emphasised that no nation can industrialise without valuing its technical workforce, citing Germany, Japan, and China as examples. Laguda recommended aligning HND curricula with industry needs and establishing a National Polytechnic Commission.
Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, represented by Mr Bashir Dati, described the dichotomy as a major impediment to national development. The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr Chioma Awuzie, warned that the divide was already affecting student enrollment.
Other speakers, including Nze Henry Nnebe and Mr Nnabuchi Nnabuchi, called for unity among polytechnic graduates to eliminate the divide. The event also featured merit awards for notable Nigerians.