NATE asks Tinubu to assent bill abolishing HND/BSc dichotomy

The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) says President Bola Tinubu should assent to the bill seeking to abolish the BSc and higher national diploma (HND) dichotomy.

Dominic Udoatan, the national president of NATE, spoke in Abuja on Friday at the association’s national conference and annual general meeting (AGM).

The conference’s theme was ‘Regulating the practice of engineering professions through the development of codes and standards, regulations, and their enforcement’.

Udoatan said part of his goals six years ago when he became NATE’s president was to see to the successful passage of the bill to abolish the BSc and HND dichotomy.

“One of the most critical milestones was our strong advocacy for the elimination of the academic distinction between B.Sc. and HND holders,” he said.

“Today, I am pleased to inform you that this bill has passed through all necessary stages at the national assembly and now awaits the presidential assent of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“We appeal to the federal government to make a positive statement in this regard. We are in synergy with COREN and NSE and are following up legally, legislatively, and administratively.

“We hope that in no distant time, the dichotomy will be a thing of the past. This will forever reshape the landscape of engineering education and career progression for technologists in Nigeria.

“We have also appealed to the federal government and head of service of the federation to consider the inclusion of the technological cadre in the scheme of service of the federation and career progression beyond salary grade level 14, because what we have presently is the technical cadre, which is meant for technicians being national diploma holders in engineering.”

He said NATE has submitted a memo to the relevant authorities, seeking the recognition and registration of B.Tech Education, higher national certificate (HNC), and other HND-equivalent qualifications for corporate membership registration with the association and with the Council for the Registration of Engineers (COREN) as engineering technologists.

“If approved, this appeal will broaden our scope and enhance our capacity,” Udoatan said.

Udoatan was re-elected unopposed as the president of the association at the end of the conference and AGM.

Mahmud Hussaini was elected national deputy president, while Reuben Maisamari was returned unopposed as the vice-president north-east.

Mohammed A. Bala was elected unopposed as the vice-president north-east and Gotom Daniel as vice-president north-central.

Other elected officers are Tokede Sunday, vice-president south-west, Chidi Dimkpa, vice-president south-south, Peter N. Ekenachi, vice-president south-east and Ibidapo S. Kayode, the national general secretary.