Voice of Nigeria reports that, The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, North Central Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Mohammed, has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to approve degree, master's, and PhD programmes for institutions that demonstrate sufficient carrying capacity and academic qualifications.

Dr. Mohammed also appealed to the NUC to allow institutions with such capabilities to operate as independent, full-fledged institutions without the requirement of affiliating with any universities.

He made this appeal during the 44th Media Parliament organised by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin.

The media parliament was themed “Bridging the Dichotomy Between Higher National Diploma and Degree Certificates.”

He regretted that priority is being placed on paper qualifications rather than the productivity of certificate holders.

According to him, from the Nigerian context, it is not good enough, stressing that the dichotomy has placed priority on paper qualifications rather than productivity, adding that experience has shown that a student from a polytechnic is more productive than that of a university.

“One bad aspect is that it places a bar on the amount of knowledge that can be impacted in Polytechnic. When you look at the disparity, it is limiting the kind of knowledge the academic staff of polytechnics can impact.

“I took my time to go through the Kwara Polytechnic law and I observed that it gives us the power to offer degrees. But when we approached the NUC, it was turned down because our institution is named Polytechnic.

“Because we placed much priority on paper qualifications, that is why you see young people and even parents sending their children to universities rather than polytechnics. You will also agree with me that most of the policymakers or implementers are products of universities,” the Rector disclosed further.

Muhammed argued that once they have the degree, because of emphasis on paper qualifications, they stand on the side of universities because they have the degree, not minding the fact they started their education from polytechnics.

The rector was of the view that if the polytechnics have the prerequisites, they should be given the opportunities to offer them.

“If the polytechnics are allowed to run courses that equal degrees, there is a limit to the race to go to Universities to continue their careers in the academia”, the rector said.

He, however, disclosed that, “throughout the world, the highest qualification in academic circle is doctorate degree. Despite the plethora of Ph.D. holders in polytechnics, there are limitations to the extent with which their academic works can fly. Rigorous research work and superintending roles of NUC are parts of the setback aiding the dichotomy.”

In his remarks, the state Chairman of NUJ, Abdullateef Ahmed, said the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma and degree holders is a matter of concern among Nigerians, adding that the situation, which is yearning for a solution, has continued to draw the attention of policymakers and lawmakers.

He acknowledged the need for deliberate policy on the part of government to address the impasse for societal benefit.

Ahmed identified the NUJ media parliament as a veritable platform for public discourse on issues affecting the corporate interests of the country.