The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has put the Federal Government on notice, with the union’s 15-day ultimatum expiring today, October 23, 2024. If the government fails to meet their demands, polytechnic lecturers across the nation will withdraw their services, setting the stage for another major disruption in Nigeria’s education sector.
ASUP had initially issued the ultimatum to pressure the government to address issues surrounding the new scheme of service for polytechnic lecturers. Despite earlier promises of intervention, the union claims the Federal Government has made no tangible progress, prompting it to mobilise members for industrial action.
Speaking on the impending strike, Dr. Iloma Richard, ASUP Zone D Coordinator, expressed frustration over the government’s lack of commitment to resolving the contentious issues. He stated that lecturers from the South-South and South-East zones have already aligned with the National Executive Council’s (NEC) directive to go on strike if no resolution is reached by the deadline.
“The strike was initially suspended on July 22 to allow room for stakeholders' engagement. Unfortunately, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has shown reluctance in addressing the guidelines, while the government continues to neglect other welfare issues affecting our members,” Richard said.
Among the union’s demands are, Stakeholders' engagement to resolve discrepancies in the new scheme of service, Harmonisation of the Federal Polytechnic Act with laws governing state-owned polytechnics, Immediate implementation of salary reviews (35% for state-owned and 25% for federal polytechnics), Release of arrears and the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund, Recognition of lecturers’ peculiar academic allowances.
Richard warned that the collapse of technical and vocational education in Nigeria is imminent if the government continues to disregard quality control in polytechnic education.
As the clock ticks down, lecturers nationwide are standing by for immediate mobilisation if the government fails to act. “We will not hesitate to withdraw our services if NEC gives the order,” Richard warned.
Niger Delta Connect earlier reported that ASUP sent a stern warning to the Nigerian government and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), issuing a 15-day ultimatum that could bring polytechnics across the nation to a standstill. Starting October 7, the ultimatum ends on October 20, with the union threatening a full-blown strike if its long-standing demands are not met.
