Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, recently ignited a firestorm when she announced a mandatory one-year training requirement for HND holders seeking conversion from executive to officer cadre.
Dr. Yemi-Esan’s remark, delivered at a virtual interactive session with civil servants themed “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Life-long, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” sparked outrage.
Many Nigerians questioned why the disparity between the Polytechnic Higher National Diploma (HND) and the University Bachelor Degree (B.Sc.) persists despite legislative attempts to bridge the gap.
“The curriculum for HND and B.Sc holders was not the same; hence, HND graduates would have to undergo mandatory one-year training before conversion from executive to officer’s cadre,” she explained.
Adebayo Hassan, a Grade Level 14 participant, inquired about the discrepancy and government efforts to address it. Dr. Yemi-Esan’s response jolted the senior civil servant and many others.
This avoidable controversy has dampened the morale of HND holders like Mr. Adebayo, affecting their job satisfaction. Analysts point out that the B.Sc./HND divide has lingered for years with no clear resolution.
A Bill Stalled, a Dichotomy Unresolved
As the debate over the dichotomy raged like wildfire in 2021, the 9th National Assembly swiftly passed the Prohibition of Discrimination Between First Degree and Higher National Diploma Bill, 2021, which seeks to abolish the discrimination that exists between degree holders and HND holders for employment.
In his reaction to the passage of the Bill in the 9th Assembly, the National Coordinator for the Coalition of Higher National Diploma, HND, stakeholders enthused that the passage of the Bill by NASS will indeed provide succor and cushion the dilemma of millions of polytechnic and mono-technic students who have been in contemplation on how to approach the bleak, uncertain workplace environment that awaits upon graduation from various polytechnics.
However, former President Muhammadu Buhari withheld his assent to the bill. Stakeholders urged him to sign it, highlighting its potential positive impact. Analysts noted the unprecedented nature of the National Assembly’s unified stance on the issue and emphasized the historical significance of Buhari’s signature.
Dominic Udoatan, president of the National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), appealed to the president to endorse the bill. “If graciously signed…posterity will forever remember him,” Udoatan remarked.
The Roots of the Dichotomy
Analysts believe the HND/BSc divide is deeply entrenched, fueled by the politicization of Nigeria’s education system. Public analyst Kunle Samson pointed to the paramilitary as a sector where the HND/BSc distinction is absent.
He argued that the civil and public service sectors are the primary culprits perpetuating this disparity. Samson urged stakeholders to persevere in their fight for equality.
Bridging the Gap
While the legislative approach has been championed in several quarters, experts believe it’s important to explore alternative solutions. Are there discussions about reforming civil service structures to accommodate the strengths of HND qualifications? Addressing underlying biases within the system could be equally important.
