ASUP Issues 15-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Unmet Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C, comprising the South-West and Kwara State, has criticized the federal government's silence on its 15-day strike ultimatum issued last week to address pressing issues affecting polytechnic education in Nigeria.

The union accused the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) of undue interference in polytechnic admissions, urging members to prepare for industrial action if the government fails to meet its demands by October 22.

ASUP Zone C Coordinator, Comrade Adekunle Masopa, voiced the union's concerns during a press briefing at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo. He condemned the government's inaction, stressing that the lecturers should not be blamed if the ultimatum expires without a resolution.

Masopa noted that the government has not shown enough commitment to polytechnic education, which he described as crucial to the country’s technological advancement. He emphasized that the union would not allow the sector to deteriorate further.

The union's demands include the implementation of agreements reached with the NBTE in July 2024 concerning the contentious reviewed scheme of service. Additionally, ASUP wants the NBTE to refrain from encroaching on the powers of polytechnics' Academic Boards regarding Higher National Diploma admissions.

Other issues highlighted by the union include:

• Non-payment of promotion arrears: ASUP revealed that arrears, dating back three to five years, remain unpaid in federal polytechnics, while state polytechnics continue to experience promotion delays.
• Salary adjustments: The union is demanding the immediate implementation of the 25% to 35% consequential salary adjustment for state polytechnics from January 2023, alongside payment of one-year arrears owed to federal institutions for the same adjustment.
• Outstanding debts: ASUP seeks the settlement of longstanding debts, including CONTISS 15 migration arrears which have remained unpaid for over a decade.
• Constitution of governing councils: The union called on the Oyo State government to constitute governing councils for its polytechnics.
• Disbursement of funds: ASUP urged the government to release the 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds without further delay.

To avert the looming strike, Masopa stated, "The government must resume active duty and commit to implementing the resolutions from the tripartite meeting held in July 2024 regarding the 2023 reviewed scheme of service."

ASUP also demanded an end to what it described as NBTE’s overreach in student admissions and called for the immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears.

Present at the press briefing were chairpersons of federal and state-owned polytechnics from the South-West and Kwara State. The union reiterated its call for the government to address these issues within the 15-day deadline, as resolved during its 111th National Executive Council meeting, to prevent further industrial action.