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…The Federal Polytechnics obtain powers to award qualifications
…. The reform targets discrimination in the workplace
Daud Olatunji
The Senate amended the Federal Polytechnics Act to authorize Federal Polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes.
The amendment, adopted in plenary on Thursday, follows the Senate’s decision to reverse its previous position on the legislation, which limited federal polytechnics to awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications.
According to the revised provision, the Federal Polytechnics will be able to award B.Tech. Honorable degrees to holders of ND, HND or postgraduate diploma qualifications, subject to accreditation by the National University Commission and other relevant regulatory bodies.
The decision could mark a significant change in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, where polytechnic graduates have historically raised concerns about unequal treatment compared to their university counterparts, particularly in employment, promotion and career progression.
Senate President Opeyemi Bamidele made the motion to reconsider the law during plenary on Thursday.
Bamidele said some provisions of Sections 2, 8 and 31 require further legislative scrutiny to provide administrative clarity and establish a comprehensive legal framework for the operation of Federal Polytechnics.
He accordingly urged the Senate to send the legislation back to the General Committee for further consideration and amendment.
Lawmakers subsequently considered the proposed changes, which were put to a voice vote by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The amendment was adopted without any recorded opposition during the debate.
What does the amendment provide?
An important component of the amendment is the introduction of a new subsection, Section 2(1)(c), which expressly authorizes Federal Polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees in science, engineering and technology programmes.
The provision states that institutions may award degrees to holders of ND, HND or postgraduate diploma qualifications, provided that the programs receive the required accreditation from the NUC and other relevant regulatory agencies.
The amendment also revises section 8 of the law, 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 term of five years, with eligibility for a second and final term of four years.
Section 31 is also amended to redefine the Minister as the officer responsible for education.
HND-BSc disparity
The legislative intervention comes in the context of long-standing concerns about the disparity between holders of first-level university degrees and polytechnic graduates with higher national diplomas.
While both qualifications are obtained from recognized tertiary institutions, HND holders have historically faced restrictions in some public and private sector institutions, particularly in recruitment grades, promotion prospects and eligibility for certain positions.
The disparity has remained a controversial issue despite subsequent government policies and legislative efforts aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for graduates of both educational tracks.
In the federal civil service, a March 2018 circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allowed HND holders to enter service at salary level 08.
However, career progression beyond Level 14 and conversion to the officer cadre remained subject to additional conditions under the applicable service regimes and public service regulations.
The controversy has also spread to other public institutions. In 2023, the House of Representatives expressed concern over alleged disparities in the promotion of HNDs and degree holders in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, urging relevant authorities to comply with existing directives.
The Senate’s latest amendment is therefore likely to renew debate on the place of polytechnic education in Nigeria’s higher education system and the need to eliminate discriminatory practices against its graduates.
Implementation remains key
Although the change creates a legal basis for Federal Institutes of Technology to award bachelor’s degrees in specific fields, its practical impact will depend on the accreditation of individual programs and the implementation of the new provisions.
The extent to which the reform addresses the long-standing HND-BSc dichotomy will also depend on whether employers, professional bodies and government institutions recognize the new qualifications and align their recruitment and promotion policies accordingly.
Likewise, the revised law does not, in itself, stipulate that current HND holders will automatically receive first-class degrees or that all disparities between university and polytechnic graduates will immediately disappear.
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