The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced plans to commence a two-week warning strike beginning on December 2, 2024, in protest against the government’s failure to address its longstanding demands.
Among the key grievances is the controversial appointment of a Rector at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, which ASUP claims was made in violation of the Federal Polytechnics Act.
At a press briefing following its 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, ASUP President Kpanja Shamnah stated that the union’s demands, which have remained unresolved despite several engagements with the government, include issues surrounding appointments within polytechnics, funding, and the general governance of the sector. The union had earlier issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government to address these concerns, but with no significant response, ASUP has now resolved to take action.
One of the most critical issues raised by the union is the appointment of a new Rector at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, which ASUP argues was carried out without following the due process outlined in the Federal Polytechnics Act. The union also pointed to the appointment of a Rector at the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, which similarly violated the established procedures. These actions, ASUP contends, undermine the integrity of polytechnic governance and create an environment of impunity that threatens the future of the sector.
In addition to the appointment issues, ASUP has raised concerns over the suspension of the Schemes of Service for Polytechnics, a document that remains unresolved despite being a key tool for regulating staff conditions in polytechnics. The union also pointed to the non-release of the 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds, which are vital for the development and infrastructural improvements in polytechnics across the country.
Another contentious issue is the interference of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in the academic autonomy of polytechnics, particularly in the admission process for Higher National Diploma (HND) students. ASUP asserts that this intrusion disrupts the academic independence of polytechnics and creates confusion in the system.
Further compounding the situation is the failure to ensure the payment of academic allowances for staff, particularly as the country transitions into the post-IPPS era. The union also decried the non-implementation of salary reviews in state-owned polytechnics, and the non-release of arrears for federal polytechnics, notably the 35/25 percent salary increase that was supposed to be implemented.
Shamnah emphasized that the two-week warning strike, which is set to begin on December 2, 2024, is a last resort after exhaustive deliberations and attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue. He warned that if the government fails to take immediate action to address these concerns, the union will have no choice but to escalate the strike to an indefinite action, with far-reaching consequences for polytechnic education in Nigeria.
The union’s action, which will affect polytechnics nationwide, aims to draw attention to the persistent neglect of the sector’s needs. ASUP’s decision to go on strike is seen as a reflection of the deepening frustration within the polytechnic community, which feels that the government has continuously ignored the importance of polytechnics in Nigeria’s education system.
With the strike set to begin on December 2, ASUP has called on the government to prioritize addressing these critical issues to avoid further disruptions in the academic calendar and ensure the future of polytechnic education in the country.
