Polytechnic lecturers threaten strike, give 15-day ultimatum

Polytechnic lecturers threaten strike, give 15-day ultimatum

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to address their unresolved demands or risk industrial action.

This decision was announced by ASUP National President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja, during a press briefing following the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

Kpanja explained that the ultimatum was necessary due to the government’s continued inaction on several critical issues within the polytechnic sector.

“Our union hereby issues a 15-day ultimatum, starting from Oct. 7, for the proprietors of public polytechnics to address these issues,” he said. “If by the end of the ultimatum nothing is resolved, the union’s NEC will reconvene to determine a course of action to address the situation.”

He further noted that union members across various zones and chapters have been instructed to prepare for action, which could include congresses, peaceful protests, and media campaigns.

“It is our hope that within this 15-day period, the government will take steps to resolve these matters and avoid a complete shutdown of the sector,” Kpanja added.

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The union’s key demands include a review and reversal of actions that contradict the Federal Polytechnics Act and other governance frameworks within the sector. Additionally, ASUP called for the immediate review of the 2023 polytechnic schemes of service, which had been suspended, as agreed during the July 2024 tripartite meeting.

Other demands include the release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention for polytechnics and Colleges of Technology, cessation of any actions that undermine the responsibilities of polytechnic academic boards in student admissions, and the inclusion of negotiated academic allowances in the budget.

“Immediate implementation of the approved 25/35 per cent salary review for all public polytechnics and payment of accrued arrears must also be done without delay,” Kpanja emphasized.

He further highlighted the need for the release of funds for the long-overdue CONTISS 15 migration arrears for lower cadre staff and called for the recommencement of the renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement.

Kpanja concluded by stressing the importance of issuing the reviewed conditions of service to facilitate the implementation of promotions in state-owned institutions and to clear outstanding promotion arrears in federal polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.

“In line with these demands, and in our commitment to advocating for a functional polytechnic education system, we hope the government will act swiftly,” he said.

Polytechnic lecturers threaten strike, give 15-day ultimatum