The Senate, on Wednesday, has passed the bill seeking to prohibit the discrimination between Bachelor degree certificate holders and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate holders.
The bill was read for the third time at plenary on Wednesday and was subsequently passed.
The piece of legislation was sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure who represents Ondo Central senatorial district at the Senate.
Akinyelure, in his debate, stated that the dichotomy that exists between B.Sc and HND has negectively affected a significant number of people, adding that many HND certificate holders are academically better than there B.Sc certificate holders.
The passage of the Bill followed the report submitted by the Senate Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters; and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, during plenary on Wednesday.
Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, in his report, stated that the implementation of the bill will ensure that the HND certificate holders will get equal treatment with their counterparts from University.
In his words, “The enactment of the bill to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diploma for the purpose of employment in Nigeria will no doubt free holders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan in his submission applauded Senator Akinyelure and the Senate Committee in charge of the bill for performing due diligence in the passage of the bill.
According to Lawan, the passage of the Bill would serve as motivation for polytechnic graduates.
He further called on the public and private sectors to ensure the implementation of the provisions of bill as soon as it is signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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