By Michael Oche
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Thursday announced its decision to embark on a two-week strike across public polytechnics nationwide, beginning from December 2, 2024.
The decision was made at the conclusion of the union’s 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.
ASUP President Shammah Kpanja addressing the press, cited the government’s failure to resolve critical issues affecting the polytechnic sector despite a previously issued ultimatum.
The union listed unresolved demands, including breaches of the Federal Polytechnics Act, lack of promotion arrears, non-implementation of salary reviews, and delays in releasing critical funding such as the 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds.
Kpanja expressed the Union’s frustration over stalled progress, noting that only one out of nine contentious issues had been resolved since an action plan was agreed upon during an October 23 meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education.
He listed the unresolved concerns to include disregard for due process in the appointment of rectors in institutions like Federal Polytechnic Nekede and Wannune, suspension of the Schemes of Service review, Non-conclusion of the renegotiation of the ASUP/FG 2010 agreement.
Others include persistent failure of state-owned polytechnics to implement salary reviews or release arrears.
The NEC also condemned alleged union suppression at Federal Polytechnic Nekede, including the seizure of union property and intimidation of its officials, which they attributed to the fallout of a flawed rectorship appointment.
“Following a thorough review, the union has resolved to withdraw the services of its members nationwide for two weeks in the first instance,” said Kpanja.
He added that this action serves as a warning to the government to address the sector’s challenges or face the possibility of an indefinite strike.
ASUP called on the public for understanding and urged the government to meet its demands to prevent further disruptions in the education sector.
He said Union chapters nationwide have been directed to ensure the full implementation of the strike and related activities.