Poly Alumni Demand End to HND vs Degree Wahala
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti Alumni Association has once again sparked fire on the long-standing divide between Higher National Diploma (HND) and university degrees, calling for an urgent end to the discrimination.
Speaking in a statement, the group’s Publicity Secretary, Busayo Adeyemi, said the so-called “HND vs BSc battle” has robbed thousands of polytechnic graduates of fair career growth and employment opportunities.
“Ending this divide is urgent. The world of work today values skills, innovation, and problem-solving over certificate titles. Nigeria cannot industrialise while sidelining its own technically skilled workforce,” Adeyemi stressed.
For years, Nigerians have pushed for the scrapping of the HND–degree barrier. While some polytechnics have upgraded to universities of technology, the stigma still lingers. Adeyemi pointed out that polytechnic graduates are not only engineers and techies driving industries at home, but they are also thriving in advanced economies abroad—where nobody questions their certificates.
“So why does Nigeria still place HND holders on lower rungs of the ladder, despite their competence and proven track record? The answer is outdated policies and prejudice, not lack of ability,” he said.
Bigger Picture:
This is not the first time this conversation is hitting the headlines. The National Council on Establishment had earlier announced the removal of the dichotomy, but implementation has been poor. The 9th Senate even passed a bill to finally bury the HND vs Degree wahala, but it died on President Buhari’s desk without his signature.
Now, alumni groups and the Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria are calling on President Bola Tinubu to pick up the baton, revisit the bill, and put an end to what many describe as “certificate apartheid.”
Why It Matters in Naija:
With unemployment biting hard and industries in dire need of skilled hands, shutting out HND holders from opportunities is like shooting ourselves in the foot. If the country truly wants innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth, talent—not paper titles—should lead the way.
Should Nigeria finally scrap this age-long HND vs Degree war? Or do you think the divide still serves a purpose?
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