The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, has strongly criticized the persistent dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualifications in Nigeria, describing it as a "sign of underdevelopment."

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Bugaje expressed frustration over the slow progress in eliminating discriminatory practices against HND holders despite numerous efforts.

"A lot of efforts have been made to break and stop the dichotomy between HND and BSc. This in itself is a sign of underdevelopment," Bugaje stated. "In developed countries, they don't make this discrimination against HND. The holders of the degree should be allowed to reach the highest level."

Progress in Polytechnic Employment Policies

Bugaje highlighted a significant policy change implemented by the NBTE that now allows HND holders to be employed in polytechnics as Assistant Lecturers. Previously, polytechnic graduates were restricted to technologist roles, while university graduates could become lecturers and rise to positions of chief lecturers and rectors.

"In the past, products of the polytechnics were rejected as assistant lecturers. They would only come in as technologists," he explained. "Graduates of universities were coming to the polytechnics as assistant lecturers to rise, to become chiefs, and become rectors in a system that is not theirs. This is very unfortunate and very unjustified."

Proposed B.Tech Honours Solution

Following repeated failures to resolve the issue, including an anti-dichotomy bill that reached the presidency but wasn't signed into law before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, stakeholders have proposed a new approach.

"If the dichotomy will not end, let us also award technology degrees in the polytechnics," Bugaje proposed. "We will continue with our National Diploma (ND), which will serve as the terminal qualification for technicians. Those who want to go beyond can enroll in the Bachelor of Technology Honours programme."

The NBTE boss emphasized that the proposed B.Tech Honours would differ fundamentally from university-awarded BSc degrees by focusing on "character, learning, and skills," compared to universities' emphasis on character and learning alone.

Legislative Progress and International Comparisons

A bill seeking to amend the Polytechnic Act has already passed its first reading in the National Assembly, with a public hearing expected soon. Bugaje expressed optimism that the bill would be signed into law by the President before the end of the year.

Drawing comparisons with South Africa, where polytechnics offer multiple academic pathways including ND, HND, B.Tech, and doctoral degrees, Bugaje argued that Nigeria should adopt a similar model.

"Some of our polytechnics already have more doctorate holders than some universities. So why should we refuse them that opportunity?" he questioned.

Bugaje noted that Colleges of Education in Nigeria have already been granted a dual mandate to award Bachelor of Education degrees after the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), suggesting a similar approach could work for polytechnics.

The NBTE Executive Secretary called for public support to ensure the proposed reforms come to fruition, potentially ending decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates in Nigeria.