Radio TNT 102.5 FM

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has pleaded with the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to sign into law the bill to abolish BSC/HND dichotomy before he hands over power on May 29, 2023.

Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, National President of ASUP who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, said the dichotomy had made young Nigerians not to be interested in polytechnic education in the country.

He said: “We are urging President Buhari to go ahead and sign that bill into law. That is another way of saving this sector. As we speak, the Roman figures are dropping significantly so because the sector is losing its attraction to young people.

“So we expect him to sign this bill. Other stakeholders in the sector have also been calling for him to do so. It will be an enduring legacy if Mr. President succeeds in doing this before he leaves office.”

The bill is seeking to legislate the discrimination of polytechnic graduates from their university counterparts in employment and promotion in the workplace.

The bill also seeks to end the discrimination that stakeholders in the polytechnics have, which for long they sought an end to.

The piece of legislation, sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, passed the third reading on the floor of the Senate at plenary.

Speaking on the bill, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Ibrahim Shekarau (APC, Kano Central), said, “The enactment of the bill to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diploma for the purpose of employment in Nigeria will no doubt freeholders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”