The Joint Action Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Ogun State has called for the immediate implementation of the N77,000 new minimum wage, as approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The union expressed concerns over the delay in extending the new wage to polytechnic workers, despite its implementation for other civil servants in the state two months ago.
In addition, ASUP criticized the state government for its continued neglect and inadequate funding of polytechnic education. The union condemned the government’s refusal to increase the monthly subvention of N5 million, which the state’s polytechnics have been receiving for the past 15 years, despite rising inflation and economic challenges.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone C, Nurudeen Masopa, made these remarks during a briefing on Thursday at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. The event was attended by union leaders from the six government-owned polytechnics in the state, including Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta; Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa; Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo; D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori; Ogun State ICT Polytechnic, Saapade; and Ogun State Polytechnic of Allied Health and Sciences.
Masopa emphasized that it is the constitutional responsibility of the polytechnic’s proprietor—the state government—to ensure adequate funding for these institutions. He lamented that the state government has fallen short in this regard, noting that the institutions have largely depended on periodic interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) to stay afloat.
He further explained that inadequate funding has significantly hindered the progress of polytechnic education in Ogun State.
