NATE Appeals to President Tinubu to Approve Bill Ending B.Sc. and HND Dichotomy

• The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering urged President Tinubu to sign a bill eliminating the B.Sc. and HND distinction
• NATE emphasized that removing this divide would enhance engineering education and career opportunities for technologists across Nigeria

The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign a bill that would remove the distinction between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications.

NATE’s National President, Hon. Dominic Udoatan, appealed to the association’s 2024 Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja.

He emphasized that the bill has completed all legislative stages and now only awaits the president’s approval.

Udoatan highlighted the potential benefits of ending the B.Sc. and HND divide, stating that it would greatly improve opportunities in engineering education and career advancement for technologists across Nigeria.

“One of NATE’s key objectives has been advocating for eliminating this academic distinction. We hope this dichotomy will soon be history,” he said.

He also mentioned that NATE has submitted a proposal urging the recognition of B.Tech, Higher National Certificate (HNC), and other HND-equivalent qualifications for registration as Engineering Technologists with NATE and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Additionally, NATE has appealed to the federal government and the Head of Civil Service to include a Technological Cadre in the federal Scheme of Service, enabling career progression beyond Salary Grade Level 14.