The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to initiate legislative reforms that will empower Nigerian polytechnics to award degrees, a move the association says will end the long-standing dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualifications.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by its President, Comrade Eshiofune Oghayan, NAPS urged the government to allow polytechnics to confer Bachelor of Technology and Bachelor of Science in Technology degrees, noting that the disparity between HND and BSc holders continues to affect the career progression of polytechnic graduates.
Beyond educational reform, the association also proposed a range of student-centered policies including a Student Insurance Scheme, nationwide mental health awareness campaigns, and improved campus security measures. These, according to NAPS, are crucial to improving student welfare and creating safer academic environments.
NAPS expressed its continued support for the Tinubu administration, vowing to hold government officials accountable in ways that align with the president’s educational vision. As part of its appreciation, the association declared June 12 “Adupe Day” — a Yoruba expression meaning “thank you” — in recognition of what it described as President Tinubu’s historic commitment to education.
To mark the occasion, NAPS announced a nationwide “One Million Student March,” which will take place across campuses, polytechnics, colleges, and technical institutions. The peaceful demonstration is intended to celebrate recent educational gains and encourage further reforms.
The association applauded the Tinubu-led administration for allocating ₦2.52 trillion to the education sector in the 2025 national budget — a 133% increase from the 2023 allocation. It also highlighted the approval of ₦683.4 billion for tertiary education interventions, the disbursement of over ₦104 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and the introduction of the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative aimed at closing digital skill gaps.
According to NAPS, these investments reflect a major shift in national priorities. “Unlike past administrations that treated education as an afterthought, this government has shown it to be the foundation of national development,” the statement read. “We will continue to support this administration because it has supported us. We are your allies, not your accomplices.”
The proposed reforms and the planned “Adupe Day” activities underscore the growing demand among students for structural changes in Nigeria’s education system and a more equitable recognition of polytechnic graduates.
