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ABUJA – In a strategic move to address the inequalities between degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications in Nigeria, the Nigerian’s Federal House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education pledged to end the discrepancy affecting graduates in status and employment opportunities.
The committee assures stakeholders that the longstanding disparity between Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications will soon be eliminated, following oversight engagements with polytechnic leaders on Thursday.
The Committee Chairman, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, made this commitment during an interactive oversight session with the rectors of Federal Polytechnic Shendam in Plateau State and Federal Polytechnic Wannune in Benue State, held at the National Assembly on Thursday.
The Chairman emphasized that several proposed bills are being developed to tackle the myriad of challenges faced by Nigerian polytechnics.
According to him, “These legislative proposals aim to empower polytechnics to deliver the professional technical expertise essential to Nigeria’s development.
The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate budget performance and identify institutional challenges, providing a pathway for legislative support.
“As we approach the 2025 budget cycle, it’s crucial to review this year’s performance, understand past expenditures, and identify specific challenges each institution faces,” Laguda said.
“This allows us to determine their funding needs and plan effectively.”
Presenting the situation at Federal Polytechnic Shendam, Rector Dr. Mikaila Zakari Yau described the institution’s challenging beginnings, recounting how it started operations in 2021 from a primary school building provided by the community. Dr. Yau reported that despite receiving a N2 billion take-off grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), challenges persisted.
The grant was primarily used to purchase essential infrastructure, such as a water tanker, renovate the primary school building, and undertake other vital projects.
However, the institution has struggled with low enrollment, reporting just 27 students over three years, a figure which drew concern from Committee members. One member inquired into the use of funds, expressing frustration: “You’ve only done one admission in two years. We need to know how funds were allocated and understand why enrollment remains so low.”
Mixed Start for Federal Polytechnic Wannune
Federal Polytechnic Wannune’s Rector, Dr. Tyover Ashinya, who also addressed the Committee, outlined similar establishment challenges since its founding in 2021. Although apologizing for past miscommunication regarding the Committee’s planned visit, he stressed that the institution had used its take-off grant judiciously.
“We invested the funds in an administrative block, classrooms, and academic infrastructure,” Dr. Ashinya stated, adding that the polytechnic has enrolled nearly 1,000 students.
The school’s bursar and planning director provided financial breakdowns, but the Committee noted inconsistencies across both polytechnics’ reports, citing missing information on employment, federal character compliance, and other critical operational details.
Chairman Laguda expressed the need for greater clarity, directing both institutions to repackage and resubmit their reports within five working days.
He said, “If you acknowledge the inaccuracies, we can grant you the opportunity to provide a more comprehensive report, including visual documentation, to address these gaps.
