The committee slammed polytechnic rectors over disregard to legislative oversight, threatened sanctions
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda (APC Lagos), has expressed strong displeasure over the poor turnout of rectors at a key meeting convened to deliberate on the future of technical education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Rep. Laguda criticized the leadership of polytechnics across the country for failing to honour the invitation, revealing that less than 30 percent of the invited rectors were in attendance.
He described their absence as a sign of disregard for legislative oversight and a lack of interest in ongoing efforts to reform the polytechnic sector.
“We convened this meeting to understand if there’s a problem between us, or if there’s something you expect from us that we’re not doing,” Rep. Laguda said. “This committee has been at the forefront of pushing for a national polytechnic commission, advocating for additional funding for polytechnics, and even working on a bill to criminalize the HND/BSc dichotomy, all without being lobbied by your institutions.”
He noted that despite these efforts, the polytechnic leadership had failed to show cooperation or take ownership of the reform process, warning that repeated indifference would attract sanctions.
“You don’t need to flatter us and claim you hold us in high regard your actions speak otherwise. We wrote letters and gave clear instructions on how to attend this meeting, and those were disregarded,” the visibly disappointed chairman added. “With less than 30 percent attendance and failure to come along with the required staff, the purpose of this meeting has been defeated.”
In response, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Daura, Musa Gambo, acknowledged the committee’s concerns and pledged that rectors would improve their engagement moving forward.
“We are very much in support of what you’ve said,” Gambo stated. “On behalf of my colleagues, I assure you that we will make the necessary amends and respond to all requests.”
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Also speaking, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Zamfara, Aminu Yusuf, attributed the low turnout to communication lapses rather than disrespect.
“I assure the committee that within one week, I will provide everything required of me. The issue may have been due to poor communication, not disregard,” Yusuf explained.
Rector of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Sani Usman, added that his institution takes communication from the National Assembly seriously and ensures timely submission of all required documents.
“We treat all correspondence from the House with utmost seriousness and always task our Personnel Unit to comply accordingly,” Usman assured.
About HND/BSc dichotomy
The HND/BSc dichotomy refers to the longstanding disparity and discrimination between holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND), typically awarded by polytechnics, and the Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, awarded by universities in Nigeria. This dichotomy has manifested in several ways, including differences in:
- Perceived value and prestige: BSc holders are traditionally viewed as more academically inclined, while HND holders are seen as more practically skilled.
- Career progression: In public service, HND holders often face a ceiling at Grade Level 14, while BSc holders can rise to Grade Level 17 and beyond.
- Entry requirements and further education: BSc programmes generally have higher entry criteria, and universities often do not accept HND for direct entry into master’s programmes without an additional Post Graduate Diploma.
- Remuneration and recruitment: Private sector employers, especially in banking, tend to favour university graduates, often offering polytechnic graduates lower pay or hiring them through third-party arrangements.
Historical context and impact:
This dichotomy has roots in the historical evolution of Nigeria’s educational system and has led to the professional marginalisation and underemployment of polytechnic graduates, despite their technical training. It has also contributed to a loss of confidence and self-esteem among HND holders, limiting their career aspirations and productivity.
Recent developments:
Recognising the negative impact of this dichotomy, the Nigerian government has taken steps to address it. In 2025, a bill to abolish the dichotomy and discrimination between HND and BSc holders scaled a second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill sponsored by Rep. Laguda proposes:
- Replacing the HND with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), allowing polytechnic graduates to compete equally with university graduates.
- Hybrid supervision: The National Universities Commission (NUC) would oversee degree components, while the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) would handle diploma programmes.
- Raising the qualification for polytechnic rectors to a minimum of PhD, reflecting the shift to degree-awarding status.
