Senate announces what Polytechnics will be allowed to award
The Senate on Thursday amended the Federal Polytechnic Act to empower federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes.
The amendment followed the Senate’s decision to rescind its earlier position on the Act, which limited the qualifications federal polytechnics could award to the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND).
The new provision allows federal polytechnics to award bachelor’s degrees to holders of the ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other relevant regulatory bodies.
The decision followed a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), during Thursday’s plenary.
Mr Bamidele said certain provisions of sections 2, 8 and 31 of the Act required further legislative scrutiny and amendment to provide administrative clarity and establish a comprehensive legal framework.
He urged the Senate to recommit the Act to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and amendment.
The amendment introduces a new subsection, Section 2(1)(c), empowering federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology programmes to holders of the ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma.
“Award the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degree in Science, Engineering and Technology programmes to holders of the National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Postgraduate Diploma, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant regulatory bodies,” the section states.
The provision makes the award of the degrees subject to accreditation by the NUC and other relevant regulatory bodies.
The amendment also revises Section 8, which provides for the appointment and tenure of rectors in federal polytechnics.
Under the proposed provision, the polytechnic’s governing council shall appoint a rector for an initial term of five years, with eligibility for a second and final term of four years.
In addition, the amendment revises Section 31 to redefine a minister as an officer responsible for education.
