Polytechnic lecturers threaten strike, give FG 21-day ultimatum

Polytechnic lecturers threaten strike, give FG 21-day ultimatum

The umbrella body of polytechnic lecturers in the country,  the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has given the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve issues negatively affecting polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Mr Monday Ojo, Chairman of ASUP, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech),  announced the ultimatum at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

He spoke on behalf of the President of ASUP, Mr Shammah Kpanja.

Ojo  said that, at its emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, ASUP expressed concern over ‘disturbing developments’ threatening the stability of the polytechnic education sector.

According to him,  the Federal Government has not been able to make commitments to resolving the issues.

“This has left us with no choice but to issue this ultimatum. Our stand is for the Federal Government to address the issues satisfactorily.

“Key issues raised include non-release of the circular for Peculiar Academic Allowance, unpaid arrears of the 25/35 per cent salary review, and continued discrimination against HND holders.

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“ASUP also faulted the delay in the release of the second round of NEEDS Assessment intervention, and criticised the Federal Ministry of Education for outsourcing quality assurance activities in polytechnics,” Ojo said.

The official also decried failure of some state governments to implement the new minimum wage, and accused the Federal Government of stalling renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement.

“Our members are demotivated by unpaid promotion arrears, with some dating back to 2019. This situation is unacceptable and worsening morale in institutions,” he added.

The union leader also condemned unlawful disruption of union activities by security agents.

He said that  ASUP was also dissatisfied with the inability of  the Federal Government to establish a dedicated polytechnic commission.

“If these issues remain unresolved after 21 days, we may have no option but to declare a trade dispute and withdraw our services nationwide,” he warned.

Earlier, Mr Masopa Nurudeen, ASUPZone C Coordinator, said at a congress of  ASUP, Yabatech Chapter: “Salaries are inadequate, our members are undergoing financial difficulties and many individuals are struggling and performing additional tasks to cope with the economic situation.”

Polytechnic lecturers threaten strike, give FG 21-day ultimatum