The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has disclosed its plan to embark on a nationwide rally over the discrimination between the polytechnic’s Higher National Diploma (HND) and the University’s Bachelor of Science degree (Bsc).
This was made known in a statement jointly signed by the Senate President of NAPS, Adeniji Boluwaji Temitope and the Chairman
NAPS Task Force on HND/Bsc Dichotomy, Benedict Olalere Adetunji during the weekend.
NAPS while proposing Lagos State and FCT for the planned rally slated for March 29 and April 19 respectively, called on President Bola Tinubu to assent the bill to end the dichotomy before May 29, 2024, adding that abolishing the dichotomy will create a great legacy for the Tinubu-led administration.
The statement read’s partly: “Is no more a news that Nigerian Polytechnic Students and Polytechnic graduate has been facing difficulties of dichotomy for the past years, in which the stakeholders in Polytechnic Education sector has put so much pressure and resources on the nine (9th) National Assembly to passed the “Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma, in which the 9th National Assembly has done a very good Job by passing the Bill but the President Assent to make it a law has not be assented.
“The Senate arm of National Association of Polytechnic Students with all the SUG Presidents across the Country has agreed to go on a Peaceful Protest tagged: SAVE POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION RALLY, with Aim to appeal to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria Publicly, to Speak on behalf of the Polytechnic Students And Graduates to our Father the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put in the Presidential Signature to this Bill and End HND/Back Dichotomy before May 29th 2024, we Observed that the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria has been assenting many bills, but HND/Bsc dichotomy act hasn’t been attend to, Polytechnic Students and Graduate are one of the major group that Support this Government, we shouldn’t be treated like an Outcast in our Nation, this HND/Bsc Dichotomy has rendered many Polytechnic Graduates as second class citizens and causing alot of discouragement to the upcoming Generation who has intention to attend Polytechnic in Nigeria.
“President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should stop HND/Bsc Dichotomy Now and make it one of his Achievement and Legacy as President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Reasons we proposed Lagos State and FCT, Abuja for this Rally is in Recognition of the Followings: His Excellency Governor Sanwo Olu is a lover of Polytechnic and Technical Education, His Excellency will understand our plight and that will go along way to speak on our behalf. His Excellency Governor Sanwo Olu is very Close to the President. Lagos Rally is Scheduled for 29th March 2024. Point of Convergence: Allen Roundabout Ikeja. While FCT, Abuja Rally is Scheduled as Follows: Point of Convergence. Eagles Square, FCT. Proposed Date: 19th April 2024, Time: 8am.
Subsequently, NAPS directed all Polytechnic graduates and Students in Lagos, All State in Southwest and FCT to mobilize in large number for the demonstration.
