Polytechnics Lecturers Announce Two-Week Warning Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has declared a two-week warning strike commencing on December 2, 2024, citing the government’s failure to address an eleven-point demand critical to the administration and welfare of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

The announcement was made by the President of ASUP, Kpanja Shamnah, during a press briefing held at the conclusion of the union’s 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. Among the key grievances is the alleged appointment of a Rector at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, in violation of the Federal Polytechnics Act.

ASUP had previously issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and other stakeholders, demanding the reversal of decisions that breach the Federal Polytechnics Act and other governance protocols. According to Shamnah, the government’s continued disregard for due process and governance principles necessitated the union’s resolution to withdraw its services nationwide.

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During the briefing, Shamnah outlined some of the critical issues fueling the union’s decision:

• Irregular Appointments: The appointment of Rectors at Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, and Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, were cited as examples of violations of due process and governance rules.
• Unresolved Governance Issues: Sustained impunity in state-owned polytechnics and disregard for provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act and state edicts.
• Unmet Welfare Demands: Non-review of the contentious Schemes of Service document, non-payment of the 35/25 percent salary review arrears, and non-capturing of peculiar academic allowances in the planned post-IPPIS era.
• Funding Shortfalls: The non-release of 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds and delayed implementation of other financial commitments.
• NBTE Intrusion: The National Board for Technical Education’s interference in the functions of academic boards, particularly in the admission of Higher National Diploma (HND) students.

“The sordid display of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, and similar breaches in other institutions underscores the level of disregard for governance in the sector,” Shamnah stated.

He added that the two-week strike is intended to serve as a warning, emphasizing that failure to address the issues could lead to an indefinite industrial action.

ASUP’s decision underscores the growing frustration within the polytechnic sector over administrative lapses and unresolved welfare concerns. Stakeholders have been urged to engage constructively with the union to prevent further disruptions to academic activities across the country.

The warning strike is set to impact public polytechnics, colleges of technology, and monotechnics nationwide, potentially escalating tensions between the union and the government.