Senate amends law, empowers polytechnics to award B.Tech degrees

The Senate on Thursday amended the Federal Polytechnic Act to empower federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes, Premium Times reports.

The amendment followed the Senate’s decision to rescind its earlier position, which limited the qualifications polytechnics could award to the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND). It was based on a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who said sections 2, 8 and 31 of the Act needed further scrutiny to provide administrative clarity and a comprehensive legal framework.

A new Section 2(1)(c) allows polytechnics to award the degrees to holders of the ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma. It reads: “Award the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degree in Science, Engineering and Technology programmes to holders of the National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Postgraduate Diploma, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant regulatory bodies.”

The amendment also revises Section 8. A polytechnic’s governing council will appoint a rector for an initial five-year term, with a second and final term of four years. Section 31 now defines a minister as an officer responsible for education.

No senator opposed the changes. Senate President Godswill Akpabio put them to a voice vote, and most senators voted in favour.

The move comes amid a long-running dispute over differences between HND and B.Sc. holders in recruitment grades, promotion and eligibility for certain positions. Whether the amendment reduces discrimination will depend partly on how employers recognise the new degrees.