The Nigerian Senate has today, June 2 passed a bill aimed at abolishing the segregation between holders of higher national diploma (HND) and bachelor’s degree in the country.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, passed the third reading stage on the floor of the house during plenary, after the chairman of the committee on tertiary institutions Ahmad Kaita, presented a report and six clauses voted on by the senators.

During the presentation, senator Kaita averred that the bill when assented to and passed into law, will give polytechnic graduates the confidence and void the disparity between holders of the two certificates while impacting the country’s economy positively.

Speaking after the approval, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said polytechnic graduates will be encouraged by this action.

The House of Representatives passed its own version of the bill in May 2019.

A conference committee will be set up by both chambers to harmonize the proposed law after which it will be sent to the president for assent.