Senate passes bill to eliminate HND/BSc dichotomy

A bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between higher national diploma (HND) and bachelor’s degree has passed third reading at the Senate.

The bill passed third reading on Wednesday after the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Ahmad Kaita, presented a report and six clauses were voted on by the senators.

The House of Representatives passed its own version of the bill in May 2019.

While presenting his report, Kaita said the legislation when assented to and passed would give polytechnic graduates confidence and impact on the country’s economy positively.

After the clauses of the bill were approved by the legislators in the “committee of the whole”, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said polytechnic graduates will be encouraged by this action.

He said, “Congratulations to the Senate. This particular issue has been on the front burner for a long time. I recall that in the house between 2003 and 2007, this was one bill that was so important and it is a way of encouraging our polytechnic graduates.

“This should not take away the kind of training they give but should be a motivation for our polytechnic graduates.”

A conference committee is expected to be set up by both chambers to harmonise the proposed law and will thereafter be sent to the President for assent.