Korede Abdullah 
House of Representative
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Education, Kayode Laguda, has renewed the call for the abolition of the long-standing HND/BSc dichotomy, describing it as a major injustice within Nigeria’s academic and professional systems.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday as the keynote speaker at the maiden Bi-annual Lecture Series/Awards of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Laguda said the time had come for Nigeria to “prohibit HND/BSc dichotomy” and embrace innovations that strengthen the polytechnic sector.
“Higher National Diploma Discrimination (Prohibition) Bill, 2024” — which he sponsored — has passed critical stages at the National Assembly. The bill seeks to mandate equal treatment of HND and BSc holders for recruitment, career progression, and postgraduate opportunities. It also prescribes sanctions for institutions that continue discriminatory practices.
Citing Germany, Japan, and China as examples, Laguda said no modern economy thrives without prioritising technical expertise. He urged Nigeria to reform curricula, align HND programmes with industry demands, and establish a National Polytechnic Commission to strengthen the sector.
He warned that continued discrimination undermines Nigeria’s industrial ambitions. “Polytechnic education is the engine room of innovation. It must no longer be treated as a fallback for those who could not enter universities,” he said.
Laguda appealed to stakeholders to back the bill, insisting that the nation cannot industrialise without fully recognising the value of its technical workforce.
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