NATE Urges Executive Order to End HND-BSc Dichotomy in Nigeria

The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) President, Domin Udoatan, has urged the government to issue an Executive Order to abolish the HND-BSc dichotomy in Nigeria. This division between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualifications is seen as a barrier to the full potential of technologists, hindering their career progression and morale.

Udoatan emphasized the need for adequate funding for polytechnics by both the federal and state governments to fulfill their expanding responsibilities. He also called for the establishment of a Nigerian Polytechnic Commission to oversee polytechnic education nationwide and develop standard curricula.

NATE stressed the critical shortage of engineering skills in the country and the absence of a vocational qualification framework. The organization appealed for collaboration between NATE, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the National Board for Technical Education to address these challenges.