The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has warned President Bola Tinubu’s administration that it may embark on a nationwide strike if long-standing issues affecting the sector are not resolved within 21 days.
The union is demanding the creation of a National Polytechnics Commission, similar to regulatory bodies for universities and colleges of education. It also accused the government of failing to honour parts of a 2010 agreement, including salary arrears and allowances.
ASUP President Shammah Kpanja said lecturers are facing economic hardship and criticised the continued use of external consultants for accreditation exercises. He urged the Federal Ministry of Education to fast-track an executive bill establishing the commission.
The union also condemned the delay in releasing the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment fund, as well as the failure of many state governments to implement the new minimum wage in their polytechnics. The leadership said that if its demands are not met before the ultimatum lapses, it will declare a trade dispute and withdraw services across public polytechnics nationwide.
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