The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has postponed its planned nationwide strike until December 2, 2024, urging the government to utilize this period to address unresolved grievances that have long plagued the sector.
ASUP emphasized that if tangible progress is not demonstrated across the eleven disputed issues, a comprehensive withdrawal of service by its members will commence in December.
In a statement released over the weekend, ASUP National President, Comrade Kpanja Shammah, detailed the Union’s expectations following a recent meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education.
This meeting, held on October 23, aimed to resolve pressing concerns raised by ASUP in an October 7 ultimatum issued to the proprietors of Public Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.
The ultimatum followed a review conducted at ASUP’s 111th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where a list of 11 demands was formalized.
“Following the ultimatum, a resolution meeting of all stakeholders in the sector was convened by the Federal Ministry of Education with a view to resolving the contentious issues on the 23rd of October, 2024 in Abuja,” ASUP stated, highlighting the constructive steps taken at the gathering.
The issues at stake include alleged abuses of statutory regulations by some Polytechnic Governing Councils, welfare matters affecting academic staff, overreach by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into the Polytechnic Boards’ authority, and the need for infrastructure revitalization under the NEEDS ASSESSMENT intervention.
Other grievances involve the non-implementation of promotions in state institutions, unpaid promotion arrears, delayed salary adjustments for Federal Polytechnic staff, and outstanding allowances related to CONTISS 15 migration for lower cadres.
ASUP expressed cautious optimism about the government’s action plan but remains vigilant. “The Union’s NEC therefore met again on an emergency note on the 24th of October 2024 to review the action plan as proposed in the meeting with the stakeholders and determine the next steps in its struggle for the survival of Polytechnic Education in the country.”
After extensive deliberations, ASUP resolved to postpone the industrial action until December 2 to observe the government’s dedication to fulfilling the agreed action plan.
“It is therefore the expectation of our Union that government will take advantage of the period to show commitment by diligently executing the action plan on each of the eleven items of dispute or risk a comprehensive withdrawal of service by academic staff in the Nigeria Polytechnic System,” ASUP declared.
The Union also expressed gratitude to the media and other stakeholders for their continued support, underscoring the importance of these alliances in their ongoing efforts to improve Polytechnic education in Nigeria.
