Mr. Anderson Ezeibe, National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has requested the Federal Government to allow polytechnics to issue bachelors of technology in order to eliminate the distinction between the Bachelor of Science and the Higher National Diploma (HND).
Ezeibe made the announcement in Kaduna during an award presentation and goodbye ceremony hosted by the ASUP, Makarfi Chapter to commemorate the transition of Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi (SICHSTM) into Kaduna State University (KASU).
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Gov. Nasir El-Rufa'i united SICHSTM with KASU to issue degrees.
He added that if the policy is implemented, it will ensure full utilization of a large quantity of technical equipment in workshops, labs, and other facilities in public polytechnics that have been underutilized due to a low student population.
The transfer meant that SICHST was no longer a member of ASUP, but of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, according to the president (ASUU).
"ASUP is currently advocating for the Nigerian polytechnics system to issue bachelors of technology."
"HND is no longer as appealing to Nigerian youths as it once was due to the age-old dichotomy."
"Policymakers have made it a rule that once an individual gets an HND, he cannot reach the pinnacle of his/her profession," he added. "So why are they continuing to force it on people, why don't they phase it out and replace it with bachelors of technology?"
According to him, the Nigerian polytechnic system has the infrastructure and human capital to award Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees in technology.
"Polytechnics are not confined to middle-level people in Europe, Germany, the United Kingdom, America, and other parts of the world."
"Under the new polytechnic legislation, they are permitted to generate higher level manpower without limit; as we speak, many polytechnics are producing degree holders but in connection with other institutions."
"If they can do it with their own infrastructure and employees, why couldn't they do it in another institution's name?"
"We are actively advocating for this, and we recently presented a position paper to the federal government on the need to transition from the award of HND to bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in technology through the Nigeria polytechnic system," he said.
According to him, it will be the most effective technique of closing the gap between HND and Bachelor's Degrees.
"The measure to end the dichotomy has passed through all phases of parliament but has not been emphasized by the President, and the period has gone, indicating a lack of political will."
"If they are not willing to enhance HND, they should phase it out and replace it with degrees in technology so that we can continue to focus on our area of expertise, which is technical education."
"ASUP has faced several problems and success stories, one of which was their capacity to transform the model of engagement with the proprietors of the country's public polytechnics and colleges of technology."
"We also do a lot of advocacy, which has resulted in us garnering positive attention to the Nigerian polytechnic system."
"Six new centers of excellence have just been established in the Nigerian polytechnic system, one in each geopolitical zone; they are the first of their kind."
Ezeibe also stated that N15 billion was released for the polytechnics system in October as a result of their fights, for the revitalisation of facilities in Nigeria's polytechnics system.
"We are currently renegotiating our agreement with the government on a new wage structure for our members, as well as many other advancements we are attempting to bring to the Nigeria polytechnics system," he explained.
He stated that they were addressing their difficulties in a positive manner while not interfering with academic activity on their campuses.
Earlier, Mr Dauda Rilwan, Chairman of the event's organizing committee, stated that the occasion was crucial to the institution since the Kaduna State Government judged it fit to unite it with KASU for the awarding of degrees and postgraduate diplomas.
He stated that the award ceremony was timely, particularly in rewarding individuals who had worked persistently to bring the institution to a higher level.
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