Senate votes to let polytechnics award B.Tech degrees: what it means for you

The Senate has voted to let federal polytechnics award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees, amending the Federal Polytechnic Act at its sitting in Abuja on Thursday, 15 October 2026. The change is not yet law.

A day later, on Friday, 16 October, a member of the House of Representatives, Daniel Amos, announced that President Bola Tinubu had signed a bill turning the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, into the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Kaduna.

Why does it matter to you?

Holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) have long complained that employers treat their certificate as worth less than a university degree, and that it limits how far they can rise in the public service. If the amendment becomes law, polytechnic students could earn a degree from their own institution, as long as the programme is accredited.

What exactly did the Senate change?

• Degrees: a new Section 2(1)(c) allows federal polytechnics to award B.Tech (Hons) degrees in science, engineering and technology programmes to holders of the National Diploma (ND), the HND or a Postgraduate Diploma.
• The condition: the degrees are “subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant regulatory bodies”, according to the text of the new section.
• Rectors: under Section 8, a polytechnic’s governing council would appoint its rector for five years, with one further term of four years.
• The minister: Section 31 now defines the minister as the one responsible for education.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, asked the chamber to send the Act back to the Committee of the Whole, saying sections 2, 8 and 31 needed further changes. The Senate then rescinded its earlier version, which had limited federal polytechnics to the ND and HND, and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the new provisions to a voice vote. No senator opposed them.

The idea is not new to the National Assembly. A House of Representatives bill co-sponsored by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, which would let polytechnic academic boards award B.Tech degrees, passed its second reading in March 2025.

Can my polytechnic award me a degree now?

No. Both chambers of the National Assembly must agree the same text, and the President must sign it, before the amendment becomes law. After that, each B.Tech programme would still need accreditation from the NUC and the relevant professional bodies before a single degree is awarded. Until then, nothing changes for students now enrolled.

Who would qualify?

Under the new section, the B.Tech would be open to ND, HND and Postgraduate Diploma holders in science, engineering and technology programmes. Courses outside those fields, such as business and management programmes, are not covered by the section as reported. Because it amends the Federal Polytechnic Act, it applies to federal polytechnics, not state or private ones.

Reports of Thursday’s sitting did not say how long a degree programme for diploma holders would take or what it would cost. GistMatrix will update this explainer when those details are published.

How is this different from before?

Polytechnics have been here before, but on different terms. Under a 2016 policy, some polytechnics ran degree programmes linked to nearby universities, which awarded the degrees. In a circular dated 1 December 2022, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) told polytechnics to stop admitting students into degree programmes and gave them until 2026 to graduate their last students.

The Senate’s amendment would let federal polytechnics award the B.Tech in their own name, with the NUC, which regulates universities, checking the standard.

What about Kaduna?

Amos, who represents Jema’a/Sanga in Kaduna State and chairs the House Committee on House Services, said the President had assented to the bill upgrading the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, and to legislation establishing a Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies in Yaba, Lagos. He credited the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who sponsored both bills.

Amos called the upgrade “a significant step towards strengthening technical and vocational education”. His statement did not say what happens to current Kaduna Polytechnic students and staff, or when the new university will begin admitting students.

What happens next

• The amendment: it needs the agreement of both chambers on the same text and the President’s signature. No date has been given.
• Accreditation: once it is law, the NUC and professional regulators would have to approve each B.Tech programme.
• Kaduna: watch for the new university’s first governing council and vice-chancellor, and for guidance to current students.

Are you an HND holder or a polytechnic student? Tell GistMatrix what this would change for you.