The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) announced yesterday that it will begin a two-week warning strike on December 2, 2024, over the government’s inability to resolve its eleven-item demands.
Cardinal among the demands is the appointment of a Rector at Federal Polytechnic Nekede without following due process and in violation of the Federal Polytechnics Act.
ASUP President Comrade Kpanja Shamnah disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of its 112 National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Abuja.
Recall that ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to immediately review and reverse all decisions inconsistent with the Polytechnics Act’s provisions and other sub-sector governance instruments.
The Union also alleged impunity and disregard for clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, various edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other governance instruments.
The Union ASUP also accused the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) of overstepping its bounds by intruding into the regular functions of the Academic Boards of Polytechnics, particularly concerning the admission of Higher National Diploma students within the Nigerian polytechnic system.
Kpanja said, “Our Union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held its 112th session to review the current status of our engagements with proprietors of Public Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology and Monotechnics in the country.
“The defining resolution of our Union’s 111th NEC was issuing a 15-day ultimatum to the government to address issues threatening the sector’s progress or face a withdrawal of services by our members nationwide.
“The issues listed by our Union include Sustained reports of impunity and disrespect of explicit provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, different edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other instruments of governance in the sector mainly as it affects appointment of Principal Officers in Federal and State-Owned Polytechnics as well as other items of governance in Polytechnics.
“The sordid display of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in the appointment process of a new Rector and the appointment of a Rector in Federal Polytechnic Wannune without following due process were cited as recent examples of these breaches.
“Non-review the contentious and suspended document titled Schemes of Service for Polytechnics. Non-release of the NEEDS Assessment intervention funds for 2023.
“Intrusion of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into the regular functions of the Academic Boards of Polytechnics in the admission of Higher National Diploma students in the Nigerian Polytechnic System.
“Non-capturing of the peculiar academic allowance of members for sustained payment in the planned post-IPPIS era. Refusal of most state-owned Polytechnics to implement the 35/25% salary review for members and non-release of the arrears of same in Federal Polytechnics, among others.
“Following these developments and a thorough review by our Union’s 112th NEC meeting, the Union resolved to withdraw the services of its members nationwide with effect from December 2, 2024, on a two-week definite strike action in the first instance.
“This shall serve as a warning to the government to resolve the issues listed or be held responsible for an indefinite action going forward.
“We therefore seek the understanding and support of members of the public as we are forced to yet again battle for the soul of Nigeria’s Polytechnic System in this form. We equally hope that the government will work to meet the demands of the Union, which is to engender a healthy teaching and learning environment in the system to avoid an indefinite shutdown of the sector.”