Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates of Nigeria wish to use this medium to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to please assent to the bill transmitted to him by the 9^th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diplomas for the purpose of employment and promotion in Nigeria and for related matters.

In addition, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Winifred E. Oyo-Ita, FCA, signed the Circular on 8th September, 2016 which takes effect on same day with Reference Number HCSF/EPO/EIR/CND/100/ST/98 based on the National Council on Establishment (NCE) at its 39th meeting held in Minna, Niger State on 22nd July, 2016 had approved the entry point / salary placement of Grade Level 08 for all candidates appointed into the Service with Higher National Diploma (HND). But before this Circular on 8th September, 2016 only HND graduates in Engineering and Accountancy had entry point of Grade Level 08 in the Service according to Circular with Reference Number CND.100/S.6/Vol.II/105 from Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation dated 1^st December, 2006 signed by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Furthermore, ThisDay Nigerian Newspaper on 11^thApril 2017, Premium Times Nigerian online media on 10^th April, 2017 and International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) Nigerian online media on 12^th April, 2017 states the Comptroller-General Nigeria Customs Service Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) has approved the removal of dichotomy between holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) and University degree in Nigeria Customs Service. This was part of the ongoing reforms in line with circular Ref: HCSF/EPO/EIR/CND/100/ST/98 issued on 8^th September, 2016 from the Head of Service of the Federation and the approval of government since April 1992 for Nigeria Customs Service to align with the Nigeria Police Force rank structure.

Also, according to the Circular with reference number HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE:100/S.8/T from Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation dated 26^th March, 2018 signed by Ndubuisi Osuji Permanent Secretary (SPSO), For: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for HND graduate to be converted into the Officer Cadre they require additional Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) as a bridge to acquiring a Master’s Degree in the relevant field to qualify them for entry into the Officer Cadre. Those who possess the professional qualifications and membership of professional bodies approved by the National Council on Establishment (NCE) and included in Schemes of Service such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) etc., in addition to HND are also eligible for conversion into Officer Cadre and advance beyond SGL. 14. Unfortunately Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) register University graduates of Engineering as Engineer and register Polytechnic graduates of Engineering as Technologist. As a result, HND graduate in Engineering are not allowed to use their Technologist for conversion into Officer Cadre. But Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) gives the same professional qualifications and membership to University graduates and Polytechnic graduates. These professional qualifications and Membership are obtained between minimum of Nine Months to One Year. As a result, HND graduates in Accountancy are allowed to use their ICAN and ANAN professional qualifications and membership for conversion into Officer Cadre.

As well, Circular with Refence Number HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/CND.100/S.9/T/38 from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation dated 11^th December, 2018 and also takes effect on this date, the National Council on Establishment (NCE) at its 40^th meeting held from 12^th to 16^th March, 2018 in Owerri, Imo State approved Salary Grade Level (SGL) 09 as the entry point for graduate Engineers into the Public Service signed by Mrs. Winifred E. Oyo-Ita, FCA, NP0M Head of the Civil Service of the Federation while before this Circular date graduate Engineers from the University entry point is Grade Level 08 (Step 3) and designated as Engineer Grade II according to Federal Republic of Nigeria Schemes of Service for use in the Civil Service of the Federation of Nigeria revised to 1^st May, 2000 published by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, when Abu Obe, CON, mni was the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Furthermore, Vanguard newspaper and Independent Nigeria Newspaper of Saturday 10^thAugust, 2019 and Punch Newspaper of 11^thAugust, 2019 published Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who spoke in Ado Ekiti during the 17^th combined convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. He said his government had totally removed the dichotomy between University graduates and Polytechnic graduates in Kano State. Holders of HND and University degrees are employed on the same cadre and HND holders can rise to the Pinnacle of their careers. He appealed to the Federal Government to also totally removed the dichotomy between University graduates and Polytechnic graduates in Nigeria.

As well, Daily Trust Nigeria Newspaper on Monday 26th October, 2020 states the Ministry of Interior has withdrawn the ranking and career progression disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Degree holders in the four Paramilitary outfits (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service and Federal Fire Service) in the Ministry through a memo with reference number CDCFIB/1001/VOL.1/110 dated 16^th October, 2020 and signed by the secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB), Alhassan Yakmut. It states that all candidates recruited by the Board with HND will be placed as Assistant Superintendent II CONPASS 08 level and can rise to the highest position in their respective services without discrimination ceiling or hindrance. This memo also stated that all ranks in the Services are henceforth aligned with that of the Nigeria Police.

Furthermore, for Conversion of HND holders on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 12, SGL 13 and SGL 14 to Corresponding Officer / Professional Cadres will be stepped down by one Grade Level if the officer must have been doing job similar to the professional Officer Cadre to which he/she desires to convert. But For Conversion of HND holders on SGL 08, SGL 09 and SGL 10 should be lateral to corresponding Grade Level if the officer must have been doing job similar to the professional Officer’s Cadre to which he/she desires to convert. But for conversion from one Cadre to another distinct Cadre (i) SGL. 09, SGL. 10 and SGL. 12 should be stepped down by one Grade Level. (ii) From SGL. 13 and above, should be brought back to SGL. 10 to enable the officer acquire the basic rudiments of the new Cadre being entered into. Officer must have acquired the basic academic qualification(s) as provided in the Schemes of Service to enter into the new Cadre according to Circular with Reference Number HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/CND.100/S.10/III/102 from Office of the Head of Service of the Federation dated 12^th April, 2021 signed by Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and this Circular takes effect from 4^th December, 2020, the date of Council’s approval. By this Circular If Polytechnic graduates are given lateral conversion on Grade level SGL 08, SGL 09 and SGL 10 then why will the same Polytechnic graduates on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 12, SGL 13 and SGL 14 not given same lateral conversion like those on Grade Level SGL 08, SGL 09 and SGL 10.

Also, there was a Circular dated 23^rd July, 2021 from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation with Reference Number HSCF/CMO/LD/250203/TI/5 signed by M. Mamman Permanent Secretary (CMO) for: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation which allows HND holders who apply be within Salary Grade Level 08 and 13 and have minimum of Upper Credit in some specific subjects within the mainstream of the Federal Service to be laterally convert to Education Officer Cadre. But this Circular condition of lateral conversion of HND holders be within Salary Grade Level 08 and 13 with minimum of Upper Credit is not used for all HND holders in every mainstream of the Federal Service. This implies the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation can release Circular for lateral conversion of HND holders be within Salary Grade Level 08 and 13 with minimum of Upper Credit in every mainstream of the Federal Service if they so wish in an effort to strengthen the profession for service delivery.

More so, this discrimination between First degree and Higher National Diplomas can cause Stagnation of HND holders on Grade Level 14. The same promotional examination is set for HND and Degree holders in Civil and Public Service. The same Ordinary Level Subjects Grades (Credits) examinations are among the requirements of Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by West Africa Examination Council and National Examination Council for admission into polytechnics and universities. Same Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination cut-off mark for entry into Polytechnics and some universities conducted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. For example, Engineering professional courses in Polytechnic start in first year but most from second year in University. Also, some Polytechnic Programmes examples Engineering and Accountancy is more tasking than some University Programmes.

Moreover, even if HND holder obtained Postgraduate Diploma in relevant field to HND certificate, he/she is not given lateral conversion on Grade level 14. Minimum of five years is required to obtain HND Certificate which includes two years for National Diploma (ND), one year for Industrial Training (IT) and two years for Higher National Diploma (HND). Also, to obtain Postgraduate Diploma in relevant field to HND certificate requires minimum of one year. While some University Degree Programme are four years. Some Nigerian Students studied abroad and spend three years to obtain their University Degree, even some Private University offer summer Programme which allows some student to use three years to obtain their University Degree instead of four years because while other student travels for holidays after the semester or session these students continue to receive lectures for the semester in on order to write the semester examination.

Additionally, even though the HND holder had the highest score in the promotional examination from Grade Level 08 to Grade Level 14 among his/her colleagues and have the best competency among his/her colleagues. His/her promotion stops on Grade level 14. Also, if the HND holder obtained second class upper in his/her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in Postgraduate Diploma in relevant field to his/her HND certificate. His/her promotion ends on Grade Level 14.

Further, if HND holder on Grade level 14 is converted after submitting his/her Postgraduate Diploma Certificate and Master Degree Certificate in relevant field to his/her HND Certificate. He / She will be converted from Grade Level 14 into Officer Cadre Grade Level 13. You must also note when the HND holder complete all his/ her academic requirements in Postgraduate Diploma and Master Degree programmes, he/she will wait for all his/her academic results to be released by the University for either Postgraduate Diploma or Master Degree programme, wait for the Senate of the University to release final year graduands and collect evidence of completion of his/her academic programme for either Postgraduate Diploma or Master Degree, which he/she will submit to Management of the Organisation he/she works. After submission of evidence of completion of academic programme, he/she will have to wait again when the Management of his/her Organisation will hold a meeting to consider his/her submission, finally approve his/her Postgraduate Diploma and Master Degree programmes and eventually give him/her an approved letter of his/her conversion. It is obvious that additional time or months is required for the HND holder to receive approval letter of conversion from his/her Management of Organisation after submitting evidence of completion of academic programme, which you need to add to the minimum two years to complete Postgraduate Diploma and Master Degree programmes for you to determine the minimum period required for HND holder on Grade level 14 to be converted into the Officer Cadre Grade level 13.

Again, the salary of the HND holder on Grade Level 14, who was converted into the Officer Cadre Grade Level 13 salary will remain the same in his/her current Officer Cadre Grade Level 13 which was his/her former HND Grade Level 14 salary until he/she is promoted from Officer Cadre Grade Level 13 to Officer Cadre Grade Level 14 to Officer Cadre Grade Level 15. His/her salary will change only on Officer Cadre Grade Level 15. That implies his/her salary will remain the same for six years. After spending minimum of one year to obtain Postgraduate Diploma Certificate and spending another minimum of one to obtain Master’s Degree Certificate. He / She is required to spend another three years on Officer Cadre Grade level 13 to be qualified for promotion into Officer Cadre Grade Level 14. Also, he/she is required to spend another three years on Officer Cadre Grade Level 14 to be qualified for promotion into Officer Cadre Grade Level 15. Which implies for this conversion, the HND holder on Grade Level 14 will spend minimum of eight years to be promoted from Grade Level 14 to Officer Cadre Grade Level 15, whereas Officer Cadre requires minimum of three years to be promoted from Officer Cadre Grade level 14 to Officer Cadre Grade Leve 15. These numbers of years can be frustrating together with the National minimum wage in the Federal Public Service with the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), which the HND holder used for studies to obtain Postgraduate Diploma and Master Degree Certificates. In some cases, this HND holder who was formerly in Grade Level 14 before the conversion and converted to Officer Cadre Grade Level 13, at the time he/she passed his/her promotional examination with very high mark above the minimum required for promotion on this Officer Cadre Grade Level 13, the HND holder is told there are no longer vacancy for the high position either into Officer Cadre Grade Level 14 or into Officer Cadre Grade Level 15.

Then, why is Master’s degree required from HND holder but Master’s Degree is not required from Degree holders to be promoted from Officer Cadre Grade Level 14 to Officer Cadre Grade Level 15. Even though HND holders had Postgraduate diploma from University they are not given lateral conversion at Grade Level 14. In education level Postgraduate Diploma level is higher than some Degree Programme in the university.

Again, thousands of brilliant HND holders had retired on Grade Level 14, some HND holders are currently experience stagnation for years and some HND holders will suffer stagnation in the future. This stagnation will allow the juniors Degree holders below these HND holders on Grade Level 14 to be promoted beyond Grade Level 14 and can you imagine the frustration these HND holders stagnated on Grade Level 14 will be feeling and experiencing. Also, if the HND holders on Grade Level 14 want to go to the university to obtain his/her Postgraduate Diploma and Masters, the remaining numbers of years he/she will have to retire from service will make him/her not to proceed to obtain his/her Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree because my the time he/she obtained his/her Postgraduate Diploma and Master degree, the numbers of years to be converted into Officer Cadre Grade Level 13 and subsequently promoted from Officer Cadre Grade Level 13 into Officer Cadre Grade Level 14 and into Officer Cadre Grade Level 15, the remaining years of retirement may not enable him/her to get promoted up to Officer Cadre Grade Level 15. Consequently, these conditions might make him/her not to consider to go to the University to obtain his/her Postgraduate Diploma and Master degree. If this dichotomy between HND and university degree holders are removed, thousands of Nigeria HND holder will be able to be promoted beyond Grade Level 14 and getting promoted up to Grade Level 17 in Civil and Public Service in Nigeria.

Further, some Federal or State universities do not meet the minimum numbers of weeks University students must receive lectures before the students are allowed to write the semester examination, since some of them use to experience Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike which reduce the expected numbers of weeks required for University student to receive lectures. Also, if HND holder reside in a state in Nigeria where he/she works. If the HND holder decide to go to the University to obtain Postgraduate Diploma and Master Degree relevant to the field of his/her HND certificate. National Universities Commission (NUC) may inform him/her based on his/her enquiry that the University in the state he/she reside and work that the Postgraduate Diploma and Master Degree Programmes offered by the University are not accredited by National Universities Commission. Which implies he/she will have to search for another University accredited by National Universities Commission (NUC) which may be in another State to the State or many kilometres to where he/she reside and work.

In addition, Nigeria constitution allows Nigerians HND holders to become President of Nigeria if he/she win Nigerian Presidential Election. Then why will National Council on Establishment stop HND holders’ promotion on Grade Level 14 so that they cannot be promoted to Grade Level 15 or up to Grade Level 17. Again, University Degree holder that graduate with First Class or Second Class (Upper Division) or Second Class (Lower Division) or Third Class or Pass in his/her Degree Certificate can be promoted to Grade Level 17. But all HND holders’ that graduate with Distinction or Upper Credit or Lower Credit or Pass will have their promotion stop on Grade Level 14.

In conclusion, Higher National Diploma (HND) Graduates of Nigeria wish to use this medium to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to please assent to the bill transmitted to him by the 9^th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diplomas for the purpose of employment and promotion in Nigeria and for related matters. As this assent by the President to this bill will motivate HND holders together with their training, experiences for years on the job and competency to be able to contributes their professional skills more to Nigeria development if they are promoted to Grade Level 17 in service of their father land. Also, HND graduate will be grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari when he assents to this bill.

•EDITOR’S NOTE: Author’s identity protected to avoid possible victimisation.

Update news