Kehinde Fajobi
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced a two-week warning strike starting on December 2, 2024, citing the government’s failure to address its 11-point demands.
ASUP President, Comrade Kpanja Shamnah, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja following the union’s 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Among the union’s grievances is the alleged violation of the Federal Polytechnics Act in the appointment of a Rector at Federal Polytechnic Nekede.
“Our Union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held its 112th session to review the current status of our engagements with proprietors of public polytechnics, colleges of technology, and monotechnics in the country,” Kpanja said.
He noted that ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address what it described as impunity and violations of the Federal Polytechnics Act, particularly in the appointment of principal officers.
“The sordid display of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in the appointment process of a new Rector, and the appointment of a Rector in Federal Polytechnic Wannune without following due process, were cited as recent examples of these breaches,” Kpanja added.
The union also accused the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) of overstepping its authority by interfering with the functions of polytechnic academic boards in Higher National Diploma admissions.
Other unresolved issues include the non-review of the contentious Schemes of Service for Polytechnics, the failure to release the 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds, and the exclusion of peculiar academic allowances for sustained payment in the post-IPPIS era.
ASUP further decried the refusal of most state-owned polytechnics to implement the 35/25% salary review and to pay outstanding arrears owed to members.
“Following these developments and a thorough review by our Union’s 112th NEC meeting, the union resolved to withdraw the services of its members nationwide with effect from December 2nd, 2024, on a two-week definite strike action in the first instance,” Kpanja stated.
He warned that the government would bear responsibility for any escalation into an indefinite strike if the demands are not met.
“We therefore seek the understanding and support of members of the public as we are forced to yet again battle for the soul of Nigeria’s Polytechnic System in this form,” he said.
The union called on the government to urgently address its demands to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning in polytechnics, thereby averting a prolonged shutdown of the sector.