Does the new polytechnic amendment bill for affect state polytechnics

The Polytechnic Amendment Bill, 2020, is a proposed legislation aimed at transforming the polytechnic education system in Nigeria. The bill seeks to repeal the Polytechnic Act, Cap. P14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and enact a new law to govern the polytechnics in the country.

The bill proposes several changes to the polytechnic education system, including the establishment of a new governing body for polytechnics, the creation of a Polytechnic Commission, and the introduction of a new nomenclature for polytechnic graduates.

Regarding the impact of the bill on state polytechnics, the following points are worth noting:

1. Autonomy: The bill proposes to grant polytechnics more autonomy, which may lead to increased decision-making powers for state polytechnics. This could enable them to manage their affairs more effectively and make decisions without relying heavily on the state government.
2. Funding: The bill proposes to increase funding for polytechnics, which could benefit state polytechnics. However, the exact mechanism for funding allocation and distribution is not specified in the bill.
3. Governance: The bill proposes to establish a Polytechnic Commission, which would oversee the governance of polytechnics. This commission would be responsible for setting standards, accrediting programs, and ensuring the overall quality of polytechnic education. State polytechnics would be expected to comply with the commission's guidelines and standards.
4. Nomenclature: The bill proposes to introduce a new nomenclature for polytechnic graduates, which would replace the current Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) certifications. This change may not directly affect state polytechnics, but it could impact the recognition and acceptance of polytechnic graduates in the job market.
5. Accreditation: The bill proposes to strengthen the accreditation process for polytechnic programs, which could lead to more rigorous standards and quality control measures. State polytechnics would need to ensure that their programs meet the new accreditation standards to maintain their accreditation status.

In summary, the Polytechnic Amendment Bill, 2020, has the potential to impact state polytechnics in various ways, including increased autonomy, funding, and governance. However, the exact implications of the bill on state polytechnics would depend on the final version of the bill and its implementation.