A proposed law allowing Nigerian polytechnics to confer bachelor’s degrees has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Lagos lawmaker Fuad Laguda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeks to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act of 2004.
One of its key provisions is an amendment to Section 3 of the existing law, which would add representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to the governing councils of all polytechnics.
Additionally, Clause 3 of the bill proposes modifying Section 8 to require that candidates vying for the position of rector in federal polytechnics must hold a PhD.
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Another major revision, outlined in Clause 4, seeks to amend Section 15 to expand the powers of academic boards, allowing them to confer a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree on graduates.
During the debate, Laguda emphasised that the amendment would help polytechnics align with global educational standards and keep pace with evolving industry demands.
He urged his colleagues to support the bill, highlighting its potential to enhance technical education in Nigeria.
When Speaker Abbas called for a voice vote, the bill received widespread support from lawmakers.
