The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the "Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between Bachelor Degree (BSc) and Higher National Diploma (HND)" before May 29, 2024.
The association made this plea during a peaceful protest to draw attention to their demand for the prohibition of the dichotomy between HND and BSc holders.
NAPS Senate President Temitope Adeniji emphasized that President Tinubu should consider the bill, which has already been passed by the 9th Assembly.
He highlighted that the President has been assenting to many bills, but the HND/BSc dichotomy act has not yet received his attention.
The peaceful protest culminated in an address by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who commended the students for their orderly and peaceful demonstration.
He assured them that their demand had been heard and that necessary steps would be taken through Governor Adeleke to address their concerns.
The call to abolish the HND/BSc dichotomy is a long-standing issue in Nigeria's education system. It is perceived as discriminatory and limiting the career prospects of HND holders.
By urging President Tinubu to sign the bill into law, NAPS hopes to create a more equitable system that recognizes the value of both HND and BSc qualifications.
As the Nigerian government and educational institutions continue to address the concerns of students and stakeholders, the future of higher education in the country may see significant changes aimed at promoting fairness and equal opportunities for all graduates.
