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Senate passes bill to end discrimination between first degree, HND holders
By Modupe Shodeinde
The Senate has passed a bill that prohibits employers in the country from discriminating between first degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.
The bill was passed after consideration a report by the Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters; and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND.
Ibrahim Shekarau, Chairman of the Joint Committee, said enactment of the bill “will no doubt free holders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
He added that eliminating the existing discrimination between HND holders and graduates of Universities would meet the huge manpower needs of Nigerians, ensure social justice and enhanced corporate governance, as well encourage patriotic contributions amongst HND employees in both public and private sectors.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan in his remarks called on the public and private sectors to ensure the implementation of the bill’s provisions as soon as it is signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Lawan said: “This particular issue has been in the front burner for a long time. I recall that in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, this was one bill that was so important, and is one way of encouraging our Polytechnic graduates.
“That should not take away from the kind of training they receive, but, in fact, it is supposed to be a motivation for our polytechnic graduates.
“[And] I pray that the Federal Government and all those government agencies and the private sector would start to implement this by the time the President assents to this bill.”
