Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has delivered a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding urgent action to address critical challenges plaguing the polytechnic education sector.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of ASUP at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Mr. Monday Ojo, during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, speaking on behalf of ASUP President Mr. Shammah Kpanja.
Ojo highlighted that an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja revealed “alarming developments” threatening the stability of polytechnic education.
“The Federal Government’s failure to address these concerns has forced us to issue this ultimatum,” Ojo stated, emphasizing the need for immediate resolution to prevent further escalation.
Key grievances include the non-release of the Peculiar Academic Allowance circular, unpaid arrears from the 25/35 percent salary increment, and persistent discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders. Ojo also criticized the delay in disbursing the second phase of the NEEDS Assessment intervention and the Federal Ministry of Education’s decision to outsource quality assurance activities in polytechnics.
Further compounding the issues, Ojo pointed to the failure of some state governments to implement the new minimum wage and the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FGN Agreement.
“Our members are demoralized by unpaid promotion arrears, some dating back to 2019, which is severely impacting morale,” he remarked.
Additionally, ASUP condemned the unlawful interference by security agents in union activities and the government’s failure to establish a dedicated polytechnic commission.
ASUP Zone C Coordinator, Mr. Masopa Nurudeen, echoed these concerns at a Yabatech Chapter congress, stating, “Inadequate salaries have plunged our members into financial hardship, forcing many to take on extra work to survive the economic crisis.”
Ojo warned that failure to resolve these issues within the 21-day period could lead to a nationwide withdrawal of services, declaring, “If these demands are not met, ASUP may have no choice but to initiate a trade dispute and shut down polytechnics across the country.”
