The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for scrapping the disparity that exists between HND and BSC graduates in the Federal Civil Service.
The scrapping of the dichotomy was announced through a circular from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita and dated 26th March, 2018.
National President (NATE), Ahmed Yabagi, who briefed reporters on Saturday in Abuja, said with the decision, engineering graduates of Polytechnics could now move above the level 14 to 17 in the civil service and even aspire to be Permanent Secretaries.
He said NATE had already setup a committee to ensure that all states implement the decision taken by the Federal Government.
Mr. Yabagi disclosed that three states – Kwara, Katsina and Kano had already scrapped the dichotomy in its civil service by making sure that engineering graduates of Polytechnics and universities are placed on equal level in the civil service.
He said: “The removal of dichotomy between HND and BSC holders in engineering is one of the laudable achievements of this administration. This monster called dichotomy has been threatening the technological development of our great nation for a long time.
“But with the change mantra of President Buhari administration, the issue of discrimination between the graduates of engineering profession in the civil service, polytechnics and the universities is finally put to rest by the release of the enable circular from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation dated 26th March, 2018.
“At this stage the entire graduates and students of polytechnics in Nigeria, particularly engineering graduates wish to doff their hat for Mr. President, a man of integrity, a man with listening ears. Indeed we have seen change in his administration and we shall reciprocate this gesture by contributing our quota in the technological development of our country.
“NATE is in support of the technological development and ready to partner with government’s vision and mission bequeathing entrepreneurial skills to Nigerian youths which is the only means to turn the economy around.
“Some states have already started its implementation. All state chairmen of the association will be given a circular to take to their states Head of Service for implementation. Three states have already removed the dichotomy. They are Kwara, Kano and Katsina.”