The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) is calling on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to empower Nigerian polytechnics with the legal backing to award degrees. According to the student body, the current Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s degree divide has unfairly limited polytechnic graduates in career advancement and public service recognition. By allowing polytechnics to award degrees like Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), NAPS believes Nigeria can close this long-standing educational gap and give technical education the status it deserves.
Key Details
- Advocacy for Degree-Awarding Powers: NAPS emphasizes that enabling polytechnics to confer degrees will address the persistent HND-Bachelor’s degree dichotomy, which has historically limited career advancement opportunities for polytechnic graduates.
- Legislative Progress: A bill proposing amendments to the Federal Polytechnics Act 2004, allowing polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees, has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill also suggests including representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in polytechnic governing councils .
- Opposition to Polytechnic-to-University Conversions: NAPS has expressed concerns over the federal government’s plans to convert polytechnics, such as Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), into universities. The association argues that such conversions could undermine the core mission of polytechnics, which is to provide practical, industry-focused education .
Why This Matters
- Eliminating Educational Disparities: The HND-Bachelor’s degree dichotomy has long been a source of inequality in Nigeria’s educational and professional landscapes. Granting polytechnics the ability to award degrees could foster a more equitable system.
- Enhancing Technical Education: Empowering polytechnics to confer degrees may attract more students to technical and vocational education, thereby strengthening the nation’s skilled workforce.
- Aligning with Global Standards: Many countries recognize the value of polytechnic education and grant such institutions the authority to award degrees. Adopting similar practices could improve Nigeria’s educational competitiveness globally.
What’s Next?
- Legislative Action: The National Assembly is expected to continue deliberations on the bill to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act.
- Presidential Consideration: President Tinubu’s response to NAPS’s appeal will be pivotal in determining the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Ongoing discussions among educational stakeholders, including NAPS, NBTE, and MAN, will be crucial in shaping policies that support the advancement of polytechnic institutions.
