HND Holders Threaten Court Action Over Discrimination

The Higher National Diploma Holders' Association of Nigeria has threatened to drag the federal government to court if it fails to implement the white paper on the presidential committee on consolidation of emolument in the public service and other recommendations which remove any discrimination against HND holders in public service.

HND Holders Threaten Court Action Over Discrimination

The association decried what it described as the continued discrimination and stagnation of HND holders in the public service.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, legal adviser of the association, Barr Kelvin Emeka Okoro said, the discrimination against HND holders include the placement of Grade Level 4 ceiling on career progression of HND holders in the public service irrespective of their competence.

He said, in the civil service, HND holders are not appointed to head sections and units as long as there is a degree holder in that section or unit even when the HND holder is the most experienced, most competent and higher in grade level.
He said, several efforts by the federal government to remove the ceiling against HND holders have been frustrated by the office of the head of service.

He said, “The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday,  March 4, 2007 noted that HND certificates would remain legal tender in Nigeria and holders of such certificates would continue to be recognised as the equivalent of first degree without discriminatory remunerations and limits to progression in work place. Yet, the office of the head of civil service of the federation refused to act on this council conclusion.
“The whole phenomenon of discrimination, frustration and ceiling on the career progression of HND is being perpetrated by the office of the head of the civil service of the federation”.