Rep. Fuad Laguda Pushes for End to HND/BSc Dichotomy at Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Lecture

Member of the House of Representatives for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda (FKL), has reaffirmed his commitment to ending the long-standing discrimination between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) holders in Nigeria.

Speaking as the keynote speaker at the maiden Bi-annual Lecture Series and Awards Ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Abuja Branch, Laguda delivered an address titled “HND/BSc Dichotomy: Matters Arising.”

He described the theme as “crucial to fairness, inclusion, and national productivity,” stressing that eliminating the dichotomy is vital to building the Nigeria of the future.

Laguda highlighted his legislative intervention, noting that he sponsored the Higher National Diploma Discrimination (Prohibition) Bill, 2024, which has already scaled major stages at the National Assembly. The objective, he said, is to ensure equal treatment of HND and BSc holders in employment, promotion, and access to further studies.

During his presentation, the lawmaker outlined key recommendations, including:

• Periodic review and alignment of HND curricula with industry demands
• National awareness campaigns to strengthen the value and acceptability of HND qualifications
• Enhanced support for research and innovation in polytechnics
• Establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission as an independent regulatory body for polytechnic education

Laguda urged stakeholders to support reforms that promote equity in the nation’s educational and professional systems.

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