The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of a possible nationwide strike if urgent issues affecting the polytechnic sector are not resolved.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the ASUP Chairman at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Mr. Monday Ojo, representing ASUP President Mr. Shammah Kpanja, said the union’s 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 declared.
Key Demands from ASUP:
Release of the Peculiar Academic Allowance circular
Payment of arrears from the 25/35% salary increment
End to discrimination against HND holders
Immediate release of the second phase of the NEEDS Assessment intervention
Stop the outsourcing of quality assurance in polytechnics
Implementation of the new minimum wage across all states
Conclusion of the 2010 ASUP/FGN Agreement renegotiation
Payment of long overdue promotion arrears (since 2019)
Establishment of a dedicated Polytechnic Commission
ASUP also condemned the unlawful interference of security agencies in union activities, saying such actions were attempts to intimidate staff and weaken the struggle.
Mr. Masopa Nurudeen, ASUP Zone C Coordinator, added that inadequate pay has pushed many lecturers into financial hardship:
“Our members are overworked, underpaid, and struggling to survive the economic crisis. Many are forced to take extra jobs just to put food on the table.”
Possible Strike Ahead
Ojo warned that unless the Federal Government meets these demands within the 21-day ultimatum, ASUP may have no option but to declare a trade dispute, shutting down polytechnics across the country.
“If nothing is done, we will withdraw our services nationwide. The government must act now to prevent another collapse in Nigeria’s education sector,” he stated.
