The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has warned that it will embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands within 21 days.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone B, Innocent Simji, issued the warning during a press briefing in Bauchi, noting that the decision followed a resolution reached at the union’s emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 14 in Abuja. He stressed that the government’s continued neglect of pressing issues poses a serious threat to the survival of Nigeria’s polytechnic education system.
Among the union’s key demands are the release of circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to cover peculiar academic allowances, payment of arrears from the 25/35 percent salary review, and full implementation of the review in state-owned polytechnics. ASUP also called for the release of approved needs assessment funds for infrastructure and the elimination of the lingering dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and university degree holders.
Other grievances include the non-establishment of a dedicated polytechnic commission, delayed promotions, the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement, and the failure of some states to domesticate the Federal Polytechnics Act. The union also criticized the militarisation of campuses and alleged interference in union activities.
Simji warned that if the Federal Ministry of Education fails to respond to these issues within the 21-day ultimatum, ASUP will declare a trade dispute and withdraw services across all polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide.
