By: News peddlers
Nigerians Senate and House of Representatives have passed into law a bill that will end the discrimination between University degree (Bsc) and Higher National Diploma (HND).
And fine of one million naira for individuals violator, five million naira fine for a corporate organisation that violates the bill.
TETFUND and the Joint Committee on Establishment and Tertiary Institutions to the Senate for approval presented the report.
Senator Ibrahim Shekerau, the chairperson of the joint committee, said " passing the bill will stop the discrimination between Higher National Diploma and First degree for the purpose of employment in this country".
The bill, according to him, will liberate people that are HND holders from any obstacles and also ensure equal treatment with their counterpart from other higher institutions in Nigeria.
He added that if the differences between Bsc and HND are cancelled, it will boost the need of labour force in Nigeria, ensuring social justice and improving corporate governance. This will likewise encourage HND holders to contribute their best in both private and public sectors.
The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said " discrimination between HND and Bsc had long overdue for review. This bill will serve as encouragement to polytechnic graduates".
Lawan called on private and public organisations to make sure they implement provisions of the bill immediately President Muhammadu Buhari sign it into law.
Nigeria House of Representatives has passed the bill since 2019, placing a fine on anyone or organisation that did not comply to the bill.
Stating that individuals violator will pay one million naira, while corporate organisation will pay five million naira.
The bill proposed that "Higher National Diploma and First Degree of the same field or profession will receive the same treatment".
"Holders of First Degrees and Higher National Diplomas for di same profession or field go get equal treatment and opportunity for career placements, career placements progressions, admission to further studies and in any other form in consideration of status as graduates of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions of Higher Learning."
"HND and Bsc holder of the same field or profession will be treated equally and same chances for career placement, admission to further their education, and same upgrade at place of work."
Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Edward Pwajok said " the segregation against polytechnic graduates does not have moral justification, and this will make International community look down in status of education in or country."
"Those that have Bsc are placed on grade level 8, while HND holders are placed on grade level 6 or 7." He said.
Pwajok added that this discrimination between HND and Bsc also reflects on the salary of the holders of these certificates, which is not supposed to be so.