Polytechnic Degrees to Eliminate HND, Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy—Bugaje

Idris Bugaje, the executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has revealed that the ongoing effort to allow polytechnic institutions to award bachelor’s degrees will put an end to the distinction between Higher National Diplomas (HND) and university degrees.

Bugaje shared this information recently while discussing the bill that seeks to grant polytechnics the authority to confer bachelor’s degrees, which has successfully passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

According to the NBTE executive secretary, this initiative aims to remove the long-standing bias against holders of Higher National Diplomas.

Bugaje described the belief that university degrees are superior to HNDs as a “Nigerian mentality” that has hindered the professional advancement of polytechnic graduates.

He asserted that HND holders in public service are restricted to grade level 14, whereas university graduates can progress to directorship positions despite possessing comparable qualifications.

“At the moment, an HND holder in public service cannot go beyond grade level 14, whereas a university graduate can rise to become a director. There is no real practical reason for this,” Bugaje said.

To resolve this issue, NBTE is pushing for polytechnics to gradually discontinue HND programmes and introduce Bachelor of Technology degrees.

He explained that these degrees would differ from those awarded by universities by giving equal importance to character, academic learning, and practical skills.

Bugaje further noted that polytechnics in Ghana and South Africa already offer both HNDs and bachelor’s degrees.

He recalled that during his sabbatical in South Africa 21 years ago, the institution where he worked provided students with the option to choose between the two qualifications.

“This will be a degree different from a university degree. In universities, you are given degrees based on character and learning. In polytechnics, we shall give degrees based on character, learning, and skills.”

“In South Africa, the polytechnic where I did my sabbatical 21 years ago was offering both HND and bachelor of technology degrees concurrently. It is the choice of the candidate,” he said.

He pointed out that the proposed changes would provide polytechnic graduates with a clearer career trajectory, enabling them to pursue postgraduate studies and advance to senior roles, including leading polytechnics—positions that are currently dominated by university graduates.

Furthermore, he emphasized that beyond transitioning from HNDs to degrees, the NBTE is also advocating for the creation of a National Commission for Technical Education to replace the existing board.

Bugaje stated that an earlier proposal for a National Polytechnic Commission was rejected by the new Minister of Education as “dead on arrival,” but after making revisions, the concept of a National Commission for Technical Education received approval.

Additionally, he explained that such a commission would elevate technical education to the same level as universities and help secure improved funding.

“We had a public hearing at the national assembly for a National Polytechnic Commission, but when the new minister of education came in, he dismissed it as ‘dead on arrival.’ However, I modified the proposal to a National Commission for Technical Education, and he agreed.”

“Right now, the National Universities Commission (NUC) gets a much bigger budget. The polytechnics are struggling with underfunding,” he said.

Bugaje reiterated that Nigeria must prioritize skill development, particularly as industries continue to evolve and the future of work becomes increasingly competitive.