Reps Move to Abolish HND, BSc Dichotomy, Seek Equal Opportunities
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The Nigerian House of Representatives is advancing a bill aimed at ending the long-standing discrimination between holders of Higher National Diplomas (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees.
The bill, once passed into law, will make it a criminal offense to favor one over the other in employment and career opportunities.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed this during the 36th convocation ceremony of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, on Thursday.
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Represented by Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, Abbas emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the education gap between vocational and academic qualifications, and fostering a more inclusive system.
“This bill is critical for ensuring that both HND and BSc holders are given equal consideration in all sectors,” Abbas said.
The proposed bill is part of broader efforts to enhance vocational and technical education in the country. Abbas stressed that increasing funding for these sectors is key to Nigeria’s technological and economic advancement.
“We need to invest more in vocational and technical education to equip the workforce with the right skills that will drive the country’s growth,” he added.
In a related development, Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Remi Tinubu, who was honored as a Fellow of YABATECH at the convocation, underscored the transformative power of education.
Mrs. Tinubu, represented by Hon. Wahab Alawiye King, also announced a N50 million Endowment Fund to support the best female graduates of the institution.
“The Fund is dedicated to supporting female students who excel academically,” she said. “We must continue to eliminate barriers to the education of the girl child, ensuring that they have equal access to opportunities.”
Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, Minister of State for Education, delivered a message on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, outlining the administration’s strides to improve Nigeria’s educational sector, including the introduction of a student loan scheme and ongoing needs assessments of tertiary institutions.
