BSc vs HND in Nigeria
I got a call from a friend last week asking me to help her niece who just finished NYSC service to get a job in the company where I work.
Of course I was willing to do whatever I could to help so I asked her to forward her CV to me which she did almost immediately.
However when I opened the CV, my heart fell. The lady had a HND degree and my company’s policy was to employ only BSc degree holders.
Bummer!
I felt so bad that I called my friend and demanded why she allowed her niece go to a polytechnic when she was well aware of how they were viewed in the Nigerian society.
She explained that her niece was from an average family (in terms of resources), and since ND program was cheaper and for a shorter duration, she opted for it so she could quickly finish and get a job so she could help her family.
Fortunately, she was able to continue on to complete her HND studies and now she really needed a job.
What a story!
I know that this BSc HND dichotomy has been on for a while and it seems that instead of receding, the discrimination against HND holders seem to be getting even worse.
Even when BSc and HND holders are employed together, the BSC holder would usually earn more than their HND counterpart. Even more shameful is the way the
Banking/Financial institutions treat HND holders – they are only employed as contract staffs and paid less than 50% of what they would have earned as BSc holders.
Little wonder most candidates now rush and lobby for University admission, thereby killing Nigerian’s technical education which the polytechnics mainly offer.
By the way, I can tell you in all honesty that I have seen both strong and weak graduates from both institutions, so it is really a matter of the individual, not the institution.
What is the way forward?
Should this disparity between HND and BSC holders continue?
Shouldn’t HND holders be recognized for their technical prowess in certain courses?
After all, the HND is fully recognised in the UK and have several equivalents in other European countries. What then is all the fuss about it in Nigeria?
Personally, I think that the polytechnics are doing a great job despite all the discrimination against them and if the Government does nothing to stem the increasing inequality, we may have a big problem looming in the future.
Some measures the government could take going forward include:
- Establish a law that equates HND to BSC (at least in certain courses)
- Compel organizations to reduce the salary disparity between BSc and HND holders
- Reduce fees in polytechnics
- Equate cut off marks for both institutions
- Government can put in facilities to upgrade the polytechnics
If the Government cannot change the state of things for whatever reason, then Polytechnic education in Nigeria should be scraped to avoid further frustration of Nigerian HND graduates who now see themselves as second class citizens compared to their BSC counterparts.
My candid advice to the Nigerian HND holder who have suffered (or is still suffering) this discrimination, and to every Nigerian HND holder who has been denied certain positions and promotions just because of their degree is this: do not let any man-made disparity make you feel less than yourself and give up on your ambition.
You have gone through a higher education and you have what it takes, so go for it!
By the way, there is even a dichotomy between federal and state university graduates, but that is a story for another post.
Enough of all these discrimination of certificate, As they were been there before u were born, I don’t think nigerian need all these, I am technical college graduate (TRADE TEST, NTC and FEDERAL CRAFT MAN CERTIFICATE all these earn from technical college) HND holder and also i have city and guilds level 5 which is equlivalent to Bsc, i don’t think there is any differences btw both certificate infact to my own view HND holder are more useful than Bsc holder coz they are technically sound. imagine a person with Bsc in mechanical/automobile engineering that can not even service a car, which is the simplest thing for HND holders in the same field. my advice to federal ministry of labour and interior is they should stop these discrimination of both degree because that is foolishness and stupidity, thank u
HND holder especially in engineering should proceed to Uniport and obtain post HND form leading to B. Eng to avoid this discrimation . to strengthen their academic background and enhance their competency in engineering field. However coy need best candidate poly or uni
am very happy for d 4 council of education for his working on both university nd Nigeria polytechnic.cos polytechnic are more brilliant than university because I don’t know why labour market who jst have d discrimination of Nigeria polytechnic and university they must change h.n.d to b.s.c
I‘m very happy to banned dis variation as well as education qualification more especially dichortomy between HND & Bsc in our great nation nigeria 4 me HND is better than Bsc certicate in my ext school most of the product university lecturer they don‘t know practical aspect they most assaing/plead HND product lecturer concerned practical on the field
Hmm!! Tnx be to Allah 4 making thiz topic of discussion ended, may Allah blessed all the Bsc and HND certificate, to those who are not employed. nd those that are not promoted to their offices.
Thanks to National Council for Establishment for equating HND &B.SC ,therefore promoting healthy competition b/t two rather than degree paper as proclaim by some individuals.Up HND
working as a customer service person in the banking sector proved my worth against the so called Bsc holders who at some instances cannot defend it but still claim they have an edge over you. glory to God as this whole mess has finally ended..let’s see who the cap fits now when we go into the Labour market with our degree and show of talent and worth in our various disciplines…..up poly….HND holder we will soon be addressed as Higher Nigerian Directors were ever we find ourselves.stand up and defend wat you have..
if truly the dichotomy btw HND holders and Bsc holders az come to end. then congratz to HND holders coz you can imagine a HND holder been paid 80k while Bsc holders usually collect 110k and above. I don’t know d different. Moreover! before u can be issue HND cert u should have 5years + service with training and practical of ur own field while Bsc cert usually use 5years including service without any practical or training. All the best!
I thank God Almighty that such a dichotomy has been waved out.my Advice to the Nd holder’s in the house is that if any one of you has not obtain your HND Form please do that immediately. imagine a student of 300lvl banking and finance doesn’t know anything about Taxation while ND 2 Poly student opened his mind to it.An ND holder teaching 300 level student Taxation in university.
thanks God for my life .
In which school?
I’d love to hear more.
Can one enrole for master without going through PGD?
Yes
It happens 5 years ago wen i was doin my ND, a lady from a great recognise institution, studying veterinary medicine cannot even give injection nor restrain an animal, and it was we that teach her . Can u imagine that.
Yea, that happen even in my place of work
It’s a welcome development let’s wait for the implementation before we can jubiliate
Finally the truth envisaged. No true government will course uproar among it’s citizens. We are not better than UK where discrimination is not practised. What you have to show is what matters and not unnecessary hatred that has perpetrate our society because of corruption.
I have been a holder of the two. HND holders are more productive than Bsc In Nigeria.
God bless HND holders….. sooooo happy, the disparity has ended.
God bless HND holders………… no more disparity.
MASHA ALLAH SINCE THE END OF THIS DICHOTOMY B/W HND & B.SC NOW IS ENDED PLS MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS STUDENTS IN NIGERIA JUST PRAY TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH FOR BLESSING IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION HND OR B.SC AMEEN.
The thing is quite interesting not b’cos am HND graduate but rather,call the attention of those who value certificate from universities not the actual contribution derived the so called,HND’s holders to national economy as well as academic arena.So,Bs.C/HND matters alot it depend upon ur effort while you pursuing ur certificate in either POLYTECHNIC or UNIVERSITY.So,may this end the controversy.We look forward for effective implementation at government level and privateo sectors.
Breaking News: HND/BSc Dichotomy Removed.
At last, it is with excitement, capital joy amidst jubilation and celebration of over 20 years struggle of Nigerian Polytechnic students and graduates including the staff unions and heads of Polytechnic in Nigeria.
I am pleased to announce to the public that the COUNCIL OF ESTABLISHMENT which comprises of all the head of service of the 36 States of the Federation and the head of service of the Federation approved the removal of this long overdue dichotomy which hinder the career progression of HND holders in civil service in her meeting held in Minna Niger state capital during the week after an exhaustive deliberation, pro and anti deposition which ended with tie vote of 16 against 16 while the head of service of the Federation voted in support as presiding officer after the tie, to earn the Polytechnic sector the victory.
Making the vote 17 pro against 16 anti. Henceforth, This resolution automatically lift embargo on HND holder career progression in civil service as the holder can now rise beyond Deputy Director in civil service as well enjoy all sort of benefits/promotion to the topmost rank due to BSc holders in civil service.
It is on record that this same Council was the sole obstacle for this struggle since year 2005 when President Olusegun Obasanjo pronounced the removal of this dichotomy, the Council called the then president statement a mere pronouncement with out documentation and refused it adoption nor implementation.
It will be recalled that the last meeting of the council which was held at Ilorin kwara state capital witness heavy presence of Nigeria Polytechnic students which I personally led as the National Senate President of NAPS to the council in protest for the need for the council to reconsider her position on the said matter.
A position paper was submitted after the protest as demanded by the then head of service of Federation who was the chairman of the Council, unfortunately, the matter was completely discussed nor concluded at Ilorin until now in her next meeting in Niger state.
The Council often meets every 3 years, On behalf of the entire West Africa Polytechnic students and most especially the Nigeria Polytechnic students, I express sincere gratitude to the head of service of states and that of the Federation who stood for us and with us, the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education NTBE, Council of Head of Polytechnic and Colleges of Technology COHEADS, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic ASUP, past and present leadership of National Association Of Polytechnic Students NAPS and by extension the Nigerians Union of journalist for their support all through the struggle.
We look forward for immediate implementation by all state of the Federation, Federal government agencies and departments while I call on all Polytechnic student to join us as we Commence appreciation/celebration.
Aluta continua, Victoria Ascerta,
No retreat no surrender,
As long as we live, struggle continues.
Amb S A Lukman #AIG
Immediate past Senate President NAPS, Outgoing Regional President WAPSU
The truth is that’s polytechnic is never and will never be equal to university, there is no were in the world they are equal…
It’s like a nurse claiming equality to a doctor it is not right
u are prosti**te u don’t have one mind do u no anything how many of u coming to poly to save and at d end u mess up can u face an nd student for challenge in ur field
Putting the knowledge into practice is what matters,i have seen someone holding HND certificate and he is taking an MBA students,and to the facts he is equal to the task.So knowledge on the grounds is what we have to consider not the certificate that someone claims to have and cannot defend it.
Thanks to God it has ended! I went to polytechnic due to circumstance even at that I teach those of them in universities, it been very painful but its over…….
Ds’s part of corruption Mr. President wl have to fight. If the HND holders are continually rendered to b substandard,inferior to d so called BSC. Then there is stl problem. If they can not make an adjustment, then they should erradicate and stop admission to d pytechnic. It is really irritating and unfair. My children can never attend poly for ds reason.
I thank God Almighty that such a dichotomy has been waved out. To God be the glory! HND and BSC are equal now in Nigeria. But with PGD, HND holder can rise to the apex of his or her career.
True
U mean HND plus PGD is now equal to degree ?
The fact is that Nigeria should consider your skills not mere paper. Personally, if I am to employ in my Company, I will give priority to HND Holders. I went through a Diploma and that is where I obtained my Computing Skills. Going through a diploma is indeed a nice idea for one who choses to be skilled instead of papered. Gaskiya the Government should put this into consideration. Nothing is bad about HND. It is only we Nigerians that underrate it. God help us
As an HND holder in banking and finance I worked In the bank and was limited to a teller while my colleague who had a BSC in chemistry became a bank manager. No wonder banks are more interested in government funds than providing loans to the real sector in order to diversify the economy and cause a positive change in the country.
True, hopefully the HND decriminalization will end, with more funding to the technical institutions
This is another important thing/issue Mr president should solve to move this country forward and to encourage good man power. Personally,I know my strength as a federal government staff,but the issue of discrimination limited my power,which is affecting the job as the B.sc oga’s never values you or your idea…
Thanks for the advice. Like you said it is an individual thing, even scholarship opportuinities comes for mostly university students, I have a scholarship but I chose the polytechnic, people think I’m mad but that’s what I want. Poly opened my mind.I am an ND holder but I teach 500 level students in university how to make an inverter for their final year project. i’m currently running 5 professional certificates and will start my HND soon, I don’t insult or stand for any. But all diploma holders out there,is all about what you want, and how you want it,
………with the existence of state,federal,and private institutions in the country,,,,,,,,,is a serious problematic to the educational sector……..thus way out to various employees…. employ paper or skills………
Nice one