Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has fiercely opposed the Federal Government’s proposal to outsource quality assurance processes in polytechnics, warning of severe consequences for academic standards.
At a press conference in Bauchi on Friday, ASUP Zone B Coordinator, Mr. Lumpye Simji, announced a 21-day ultimatum issued to the government, criticizing the policy as a direct threat to the integrity of polytechnic education.
“The decision to outsource the core mandate of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to unqualified vendors is ethically wrong and economically disastrous,” Simji stated.
“Quality assurance is not a commodity to be handed over to charlatans; it requires professionals with expertise in technical and vocational education.”
Simji argued that the policy, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and executed through the NBTE, undermines the credibility of polytechnic certificates and weakens academic oversight.
“This move is nothing short of institutional sabotage, jeopardang the future of technical education and betraying public trust,” he added.
Echoing this stance, ASUP Chairman at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Mr. Hussaini Yaro, vowed that members would halt services if the government fails to act.
“We are defending the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria. If the 21-day ultimatum expires without resolution, a nationwide strike is inevitable,” Yaro declared.
The union’s ultimatum, issued on August 14, also highlighted unresolved issues plaguing the sector, including unpaid salary review arrears, delayed infrastructure funding, stalled promotions, and ongoing discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.
ASUP warned that failure to address these concerns would escalate tensions, potentially disrupting polytechnic operations nationwide.
