….Federal Polytechnics Get Degree-Awarding Powers
…. Reform Targets Workplace Discrimination
Daud Olatunji
The Senate has amended the Federal Polytechnic Act to empower federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes.
The amendment, adopted during plenary on Thursday, followed the Senate’s decision to reverse its earlier position on the legislation, which restricted federal polytechnics to awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications.
Under the revised provision, federal polytechnics will be able to award B.Tech. Hons. degrees to holders of ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission and other relevant regulatory bodies.
The decision could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, where polytechnic graduates have historically raised concerns about unequal treatment compared with their university counterparts, particularly in employment, promotion and career advancement.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion for the reconsideration of the Act during Thursday’s plenary.
Bamidele said certain provisions of Sections 2, 8 and 31 required further legislative scrutiny to provide administrative clarity and establish a comprehensive legal framework for the operation of federal polytechnics.
He consequently urged the Senate to recommit the legislation to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and amendment.
The lawmakers subsequently considered the proposed changes, which were put to a voice vote by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The amendment was adopted without any recorded opposition during the debate.
What the amendment provides
A major component of the amendment is the introduction of a new subsection, Section 2(1)(c), which expressly empowers federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees in science, engineering and technology programmes.
The provision states that the institutions may award the degrees to holders of ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, provided the programmes receive the required accreditation from the NUC and other relevant regulatory agencies.
The amendment also revises Section 8 of the Act, 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 five-year term, with eligibility for a second and final term of four years.
Section 31 is also amended to redefine a minister as the officer responsible for education.
HND-BSc disparity
The legislative intervention comes amid longstanding concerns over the disparity between holders of university Bachelor of Science degrees and polytechnic graduates with Higher National Diplomas.
Despite both qualifications being obtained from recognised tertiary institutions, HND holders have historically faced restrictions in some public and private sector establishments, particularly in recruitment grades, promotion prospects and eligibility for certain positions.
The disparity has remained a contentious issue despite successive government policies and legislative efforts aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for graduates of both educational pathways.
In the federal civil service, a March 2018 circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation permitted HND holders to enter the service at Salary Grade Level 08.
However, career progression beyond Grade Level 14 and conversion to the officer cadre have remained subject to additional conditions under applicable schemes of service and public service regulations.
The controversy has also extended to other public institutions. In 2023, the House of Representatives raised concerns over alleged disparities in the promotion of HND and degree holders in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, urging the relevant authorities to comply with existing directives.
The Senate’s latest amendment is therefore likely to renew discussions about 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 amendment creates a legal basis for federal polytechnics to award bachelor’s degrees in specified fields, its practical impact will depend on the accreditation of individual programmes and the implementation of the new provisions.
The extent to which the reform addresses the longstanding HND-BSc dichotomy will also depend on whether employers, professional bodies and government institutions recognise the new qualifications and align their recruitment and promotion policies accordingly.
Similarly, the revised law does not, by itself, establish that existing HND holders will automatically receive bachelor’s degrees or that all disparities between university and polytechnic graduates will immediately disappear.
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