The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced plans to commence a nationwide strike if the federal government fails to address its long-standing grievances. The union issued a 15-day ultimatum, starting from Monday, October 7, 2024, warning that polytechnics across the country will be shut down if their demands are not met by the deadline.
In a statement released at the conclusion of ASUP’s 111th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the union expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of issues affecting polytechnics. ASUP also accused the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) of overstepping its mandate by interfering in the admission processes for Higher National Diploma (HND) programs, a responsibility the union says belongs to the academic boards of polytechnics.
The union’s president, Comrade Shamnah Kpanja, highlighted a series of unresolved concerns, stating that all efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue had been futile. The NEC meeting reviewed the ongoing disregard for the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, state edicts governing institutions, and other governance frameworks, particularly concerning the appointment of principal officers in federal and state-owned polytechnics.
Among the key grievances highlighted by ASUP were:
- The failure to review the controversial and suspended 2023 document titled “Schemes of Service for Polytechnics.”
- Non-release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention funds.
- The intrusion of NBTE into the regular functions of polytechnics’ academic boards, especially in the admission of HND students.
- Delays in implementing the agreed 25%/35% salary review for polytechnic staff and payment of the accrued arrears.
- The unresolved CONTISS 15 migration arrears for lower cadre staff.
- Non-implementation of promotions in state-owned institutions and outstanding promotion arrears in federal polytechnics and colleges of technology.
ASUP demanded the immediate reversal of actions it deemed inconsistent with the Federal Polytechnics Act and called for the commencement of the review process of the suspended Schemes of Service for Polytechnics. The union also demanded the inclusion of negotiated academic allowances in the budget for post-IPPIS payment and the release of revised conditions of service.
The union emphasized its commitment to advocating for a functional polytechnic education system and issued the ultimatum to proprietors of public polytechnics to address these issues within 15 days. Failure to do so, ASUP warned, would lead to “different forms of trade dispute declarations,” including a possible nationwide strike.
At the expiration of the ultimatum, the union’s NEC will reconvene to determine the next course of action.
