A groundbreaking bill that could redefine Nigeria’s higher education system has taken a significant step forward, as the House of Representatives passed it through its second reading. If enacted, the legislation would grant polytechnics the authority to award bachelor’s degrees, a move that could bridge the long-standing gap between universities and technical institutions.
The bill, spearheaded by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Lagos lawmaker Faud Laguda, seeks to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act of 2004. A key provision would empower academic boards to confer Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees, shifting the traditional role of polytechnics beyond diploma and Higher National Diploma (HND) programs.
Laguda, while leading the debate, emphasized that the global landscape of education continues to evolve, and Nigeria must keep pace. “We need to ensure our polytechnics are not left behind in a world that increasingly values technical expertise,” he argued, urging lawmakers to embrace the reform. The amendment also proposes new requirements for federal polytechnic rectors, mandating a PhD qualification, and calls for the inclusion of representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in governing councils.
The bill received overwhelming support on the House floor. When Speaker Abbas called for a voice vote, lawmakers resoundingly backed the proposal, moving it closer to becoming law. The shift, if approved, could reshape Nigeria’s academic landscape, potentially elevating the status of polytechnic graduates and addressing the nation’s skills gap in technology and innovation.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, stakeholders in the education sector will be watching closely, anticipating whether Nigeria is finally ready to place technical education on the same pedestal as university degrees.
