The Senate has passed a bill to abolish the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and bachelor’s degree.
The bill passed the third reading on Wednesday.
Chairman of the committee on tertiary institutions, Ahmad Kaita, presented six clauses and a report which were voted on by the senators.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, congratulated the Senate on the move, and said polytechnic graduates will be encouraged by it.
“This particular issue has been on the front burner for a long time. I recall that in the house between 2003 and 2007, this was one bill that was so important and it is a way of encouraging our polytechnic graduates.
“This should not take away the kind of training they give but should be a motivation for our polytechnic graduates,” Lawan said.
Since the house has passed its own version of the bill, a conference committee will be set up by both chambers to harmonise the proposed law.
After that, it will be sent to the president for assent.
