Between Hnd And B.sc

I wish to express appreciation to the Obasanjo government on its determination to put to rest the discrimination between B.Sc and HND certificates. When this was first raised, it was greeted with mixed feelings. There was the general belief that the federal government will only pay lip service to it and put it to rest. To the surprise of all Nigerians, the government started making pronouncements on the issue.


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First, the Civil Service Commission was directed to regularise the appointment of HND holders to equate that of their B.Sc counterparts. This was followed by the directive to remove the bar placed on HND which prevented HND holders in the service from going beyond level 14. All these pronouncements are commendable and it gives hope to HND holders and those applying for HND programmes.

We need to ensure that this policy is not reverted by future governments since the root of the issue has not been totally addressed. The Ordinary National Diploma (OND) which was later changed to National Diploma runs for 18 months after which the students are expected to do a compulsory industrial training in any relevant company or establishment to for one year.

Upon completion of this Industrial Training, they can then apply for Higher National Diploma (HND). The National Diploma holder spends 28 months intensive training both in the school and the industry in order to acquire the certificate. This is about the same period it takes to acquire an NCE from Colleges of Education.

It is painful to observe that most institutions and industries no longer engage the services of National Diploma students for compulsory industrial training. The situation has become so bad that the scheme has degenerated to the extent that IT students are being used as sales boys/girls. This deviation from the original plan for acquiring National Diploma has further reduced the prestige of the certificate.

Therefore to genuinely upgrade the Higher National Diploma, the federal government would have to make-up for all lapses and impediments that militate against the success of the scheme. The Federal Government should replace the one year Industrial Training with other courses. This means that the National Diploma should run for three years. Thereafter, the certificate holder can then apply for Higher Diploma.

The advantage of the proposed system is to put an end to certificate discrimination. It will also address the quest for the upgrading of Polytechnics thereby making them more attractive. This will also create a new era for industrial revolution in Nigeria and indeed Africa. Most especially, it will ensure future stability of both our educational and economic systems.

Bolaji