A bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between Higher National Diplomas (HND) and Bachelor’s Degrees has now passed the third reading at the senate.
The bill passed the third reading on Wednesday after Ahmad Kaita, chairman of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions, presented a report, and six clauses were voted on by the senators.
Kaita said that the legislation, when passed into law, would help the confidence of polytechnic graduates.
The house of representatives passed its version of the bill in May 2019. Hence, a conference committee will be set up by both chambers to harmonise the proposed law before it is sent to the president for assent.
The bill is intended to prohibit discrimination between first degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders for employment or promotion in work environments.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan also said after the bill’s approval that polytechnic graduates would be encouraged by this action.
Lawan said, “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.”