A bill proposing to allow polytechnics to award bachelor’s degrees has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Faud Laguda, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Lagos State, the bill seeks to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act 2004 to enhance the role of polytechnics in Nigeria’s education system.
The proposed amendments include adding representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to polytechnic governing councils. It also aims to raise the qualification requirement for federal polytechnic rectors to a PhD and grant academic boards the authority to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.
During the debate, Laguda highlighted the need for polytechnics to align with global standards, stating, “The amendment will enable polytechnics to meet up with the demand of the ever-changing world while adhering to international best practices.” He urged lawmakers to support the bill, emphasizing its potential to strengthen technical education in Nigeria.
Following a voice vote, the bill received overwhelming support from lawmakers, advancing it closer to becoming law.
