As part of efforts to reposition the polytechnic sector for greater efficiency, the National Board for Technical Education has announced new Schemes of Service as approved by the Federal Government for Nigerian polytechnics effective from June 7, 2024.

The NBTE is mandated to regulate and oversee educational programmes offered by technical institutions at the secondary, polytechnic, and monotechnic levels through an accreditation process in Nigeria.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the Federal Government, through the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, had  disclosed that the Schemes of Service for Polytechnics in Nigeria would soon be made available.

Yemi-Esan stated this in Abuja on May 2024 while  explaining that “the Schemes of Service for polytechnics will be released soon.”

She had emphasised that, “Work had been concluded but for one area of contention.”

The Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje at the formal presentation of the new Schemes of Service recently  in Kaduna, said the new Schemes of Service is a unified approach to the recruitment and promotion of staff across federal, state and private polytechnics in Nigeria.

He added that henceforth, Higher National Diploma holders with good grades could now be employed as academic staff to lecture in polytechnics like their degree-holding counterparts.

Bugaje had further noted  that the new Schemes of Service for Nigerian Polytechnics took effect from June 7, 2024, adding that  from the operational day (June 7, 2024 ) of New Scheme of Service, previous versions of Schemes of Service, ceases to become legal tender.

“We are all united from now onwards to operate the new Schemes of Service in the Nigerian Polytechnic System,” he declared.

This was as he added that the  Instructor Cadre, which represented  segregation against HND holders in the past, had been abolished.

The NBTE boss had remarked, “I warmly welcome all esteemed stakeholders in the Nigerian Polytechnic System, gathered here for this important event, being the formal presentation of the New Schemes of Service for all Nigerian Polytechnics, operational from June 7, 2024.

“From this date, all previous versions of the Schemes of Service, and there were many of them, cease to become legal tender. We are all united from now onwards to operate the new Schemes of Service in the Nigerian Polytechnic System.

“This milestone has taken over a decade of struggle and efforts by our Staff Unions, Rectors of Polytechnics through their COHEADS/COFER bodies, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the NBTE.

“The new Schemes of Service offers that HND Holders with good grades are now to be appointed as Academic Staff (Graduate Assistants), like their degree counterparts, in a system that is theirs.

“The Instructor Cadre, which represents segregation against HND holders in the past, has been abolished. The Technician Cadre has been subsumed by Technologist Cadre, allowing ND holders to be appointed as Assistant Technologists.

“The Pharmacy Technology cadre has been maintained. For those with HND in Pharmacy Technology, but who may not be allowed to work in hospitals by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, their space in the public service has been retained.”

He added, “the requirement of National Skill Qualifications Level 3 minimum for Senior Lecturers and above is a positive step aimed at institutionalising skills training in the polytechnics.’’

“Let me advise that current lecturers seeking promotion to senior level shall be given three years moratorium to acquire the NSQ (or its equivalent) and where necessary, shall be offered Recognition of Prior Learning to qualify. This provision shall put check on the inflow of academic staff from universities into our polytechnics, especially those who may not have skills qualification.

“On the overall, the new Schemes of Service presents a unified approach to the recruitment and promotion of staff across Nigerian Polytechnics, Federal, State, and even private. We shall use it as an instrument of accreditation in old and new institutions in terms of compliance.

“These marvelous achievements were made possible by the Mother of Skills Development in Nigeria, the Head of Service of the Federation, a pillar of support for the Polytechnic sector, and a very fair arbiter in our affairs, Dr. Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan.

“We are most grateful for her tireless efforts that culminated in today’s celebration. We are equally grateful to the two Ministers of Education and the Permanent Secretary for their unyielding support. Our Staff Unions have all along shown solidarity and steadfastness, and this is well acknowledged.”

Bugaje said some grey areas raised by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics which had over the years been a source of concern to  various unions, such as the terminal level for the Registry Cadre which is now the Deputy Registrar since the position of the Registrar is tenured on consolidated salary like other principal officers, would be resolved.

Arewa PUNCH further reports that representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics notèd at the event that they would study the new Schemes of Service before any critical analysis of it