The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) may soon embark on a nationwide strike, following the expiration of the 15-day ultimatum set for the Federal Government to address its demands. As of today, October 23, the deadline has passed without any progress, sparking growing support among polytechnic lecturers for industrial action.
ASUP had warned that a strike would be inevitable if the contentious issues surrounding the new service scheme for polytechnic lecturers were not resolved. Dr. Iloma Richard, the ASUP Zone D Coordinator, speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt, confirmed that the Federal Government has not addressed key concerns, despite previous interventions.
The union had temporarily suspended a planned strike on July 22 after the government directed the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to reassess the guidelines. However, Richard lamented that no progress has been made, citing the NBTE’s reluctance to engage with stakeholders and the government’s failure to address the welfare needs of lecturers.
Among the union’s grievances are delays in implementing the new service scheme, inconsistencies in the Federal Polytechnic Act and state institution regulations, salary discrepancies, and the overdue release of funds, including the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund.
ASUP leaders in the South-South and South-East states have pledged to withdraw services if the National Executive Council (NEC) calls for strike action. According to Richard, this decision has been formally communicated to the government, with mobilization efforts already underway.
ASUP has also called for the swift resolution of issues related to the 35 percent and 25 percent salary reviews for state-owned polytechnics and the disbursement of outstanding arrears for federal institutions.
As the government remains silent on these demands, the looming strike threatens to disrupt polytechnic education nationwide, with ASUP emphasizing that the future of technical and vocational education in Nigeria is at stake if these issues are not promptly resolved.
