The House of Representatives has advanced a bill that seeks to transform Nigeria’s polytechnics into degree-awarding institutions, passing it for a second reading.
The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Faud Laguda, aims to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act of 2024.
If enacted, the National Diploma (ND) would become the final qualification for technical education, while polytechnics would be authorized to offer Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.
The proposed amendment to Section 15 of the Principal Act introduces new provisions empowering polytechnic Academic Boards to oversee academic affairs, regulate admissions, and confer degrees after National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation.
It further states: “The National Diploma (ND) shall be the terminal technical education qualification, with progress into a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Hons.”
However, ND holders interested in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can pursue advanced skills training at higher National Skill Qualification (NSQ) levels.
Leading the debate, Laguda emphasized that the bill seeks to modernize the Federal Polytechnics Act, expand council membership to include representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and establish a clearer administrative structure for polytechnics.
