ASUP Demands Reconstitution of Dissolved Governing Councils and Removal of Unqualified Rectors

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called for the immediate reconstitution of all dissolved Governing Councils of Polytechnics in line with existing rules. The union also demanded the removal of five individuals it deems unfit and unqualified, who are currently posing as Rectors of some new Federal Polytechnics in the country.

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These demands were made during a press conference led by the President of ASUP, Anderson U. Ezeibe, ahead of the Union’s 17th Biennial National Delegates Conference.

ASUP is also calling for an end to the appointment of unqualified individuals as Principal Officers in Polytechnics across Nigeria and the immediate release of the scheme of service for Polytechnics.

The union further urged the faithful implementation of the approved roadmap for the education sector, particularly concerning the establishment of a National Commission for Polytechnics and the granting of degree-awarding status to Polytechnics.

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ASUP is also advocating for an upward review of the budgetary provisions for education in the 2024 appropriation bill before the National Assembly to reflect the actual needs of the sector. They are also calling for the total withdrawal of the 2021 circular requesting institutions to remit their internally generated funds.

The union is demanding the immediate implementation of the approved new wage structure of 35% and 25% for Chief Lecturers and other staff categories in the sector, including arrears.

ASUP is also calling for a return to the renegotiation table to enable a proper renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement and the unconditional release of the eight months of owed salaries to University staff in the country.

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Ezeibe stated, “While we expect the government to work assiduously towards a revamp of the education sector, we expect that the issues highlighted in this document should be given requisite attention. These are key items undermining the functionality of the education sector in general and polytechnic education in particular.

The conference also addressed issues of governance in the Polytechnics, persistent but harmful government policies, and the wellbeing of the members across the nation. These issues are of serious concern as the union approaches its biennial national delegates’ conference with the theme: “Identity Crisis and Existential Threat to Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Issues and Perspectives”.