Polytechnic graduates and stakeholders are calling on the Nigerian government to abolish the lingering disparity between Higher National Diploma and university degrees, urging legislation to ensure equal recognition and opportunities for all qualified professionals.
The Alumni Association of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, has called for an immediate end to the lingering disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s degree qualifications.
In a statement released in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, the association’s Publicity Secretary, Busayo Adeyemi, stressed that the existing divide continues to marginalize thousands of polytechnic graduates, limiting their career advancement and job opportunities.
“The modern workforce prioritizes skills, innovation, and problem-solving over mere certificates,” Adeyemi said. “Nigeria cannot achieve industrial growth while sidelining technically trained professionals.”
He emphasized that polytechnics, especially the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti—established in 1977—have consistently produced graduates who excel in engineering, science, business, and technology.
Adeyemi added,
“These graduates have proven their worth globally, thriving in countries where their qualifications face no discrimination. The continued bias against HND holders in Nigeria stems from outdated policies, not a lack of ability.”
He urged the government to scrap the dichotomy entirely and allow merit and talent to drive national development.
Push for Legislative Action
Echoing similar sentiments, the Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria has also urged President Bola Tinubu to support legislation abolishing the HND–degree divide.
The association’s president, Dr. Benjamin Achiatar, pointed out that while the National Council on Establishment had officially removed the dichotomy, implementation remains inconsistent.
“A bill passed during the ninth Senate was never signed into law. We urge the current 10th National Assembly to either reintroduce the bill or revisit the previous version for Presidential assent,” Achiatar said.
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