The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that it will embark on a nationwide strike if its demands are not met. According to ASUP’s Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Innocent Simji, the ultimatum was borne out of the government’s failure to address pressing issues threatening the survival of the polytechnic sector.
The union’s demands include the release of circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to cover peculiar academic allowances, payment of arrears of the 25/35% salary review, and implementation of the review in state-owned polytechnics. Other grievances include the delay in granting a dual mandate structure to eliminate the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates, non-release of approved needs assessment funds for infrastructure, and outsourcing of the National Board for Technical Education’s quality assurance mandate to unqualified vendors.
ASUP also expressed concerns over the non-establishment of a dedicated commission for polytechnics, non-release of promotion arrears, and non-implementation of promotions in state-owned polytechnics. The union further decried the continued dichotomy against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in public service, non-release of CONTISS 15 arrears, militarization of campuses, and undue interference in union activities, particularly at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede.
If the Federal Government fails to address these issues within the 21-day ultimatum, ASUP has warned that it will declare a trade dispute and withdraw the services of its members across all public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide. This would likely disrupt academic activities in the nation’s technical education sector.
The potential strike would have significant implications for the education sector, with students and lecturers alike facing uncertainty and disruption. As the countdown begins, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the Federal Government’s response to ASUP’s demands, hoping that a resolution will be reached before the ultimatum expires.
