Lagos, Nigeria – The Federal House of Representatives is advancing legislation to eliminate discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass disclosed this during the 36th convocation ceremony of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos on Thursday.
In his address, Speaker Abass emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between HND holders and Bachelor’s Degree holders to foster vocational and technical education.
“The country needs people with the skills needed to take it to a higher level. Those who are going to raise the nation’s profile technologically. In view of that, we are increasing funds to the sector.
“Also, we are taking steps by working on the necessary legal framework to criminalise the dichotomy between HND and BSc certificates,” Abass remarked.
This move follows previous attempts to address the HND/BSc disparity.
In 2021, the National Assembly passed a bill abolishing and prohibiting discrimination between first degrees and HNDs. The Senate also passed a similar bill that same year.
By promoting equality and enhancing the status of technical education, Converseer reports that the government aims to attract more students to polytechnics, thereby fostering the development of a workforce equipped with essential technical skills to advance national growth.
If enacted, the proposed legislation would have significant implications for HND holders in both the public and private sectors.
It would open doors to equal employment opportunities, promotions, and career advancement, fostering a more equitable and inclusive job market.