Polytechnic Lecturers Threaten Strike As FG Ignores Ultimatum

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Zone C, covering the South-West and Kwara State, has criticized the government for its silence regarding the 15-day strike ultimatum issued on October 7.

This ultimatum aims to address pressing issues affecting polytechnic education nationwide, including the non-review of suspended schemes of service, non-release of conditions of service, and the National Board for Technical Education’s involvement in Higher National Diploma admissions.

ASUP’s grievances also include the delayed release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention for public polytechnics and Colleges of Technology. Furthermore, the union seeks immediate implementation of the approved 25/35 per cent salary review across all public polytechnics, as well as payment of accrued arrears.

The ASUP Coordinator of Zone C, Comrade Adekunle Masopa while briefing the press at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo on Tuesday, said that it was unfair for the government to have kept mute since last week when the union issued the ultimatum.

He stated that the lecturers would definitely not have to be blamed should they decide to embark on strike at the expiration of the ultimatum.

Masopa said that to avert this looming strike “The government must resume active duty and commitment to the resolutions of the tripartite meeting held in July 2024 on 2023 reviewed scheme of service.

“There must be immediate implementation of the 25/35 per cent consequential salary adjustment in state polytechnics from January 2023 as well as payment of the one-year arrears of this salary adjustment to Federal institutions without further delay.

“ASUP requests NBTE to desist from usurping the power of statutory bodies, particularly the Academic Board, with respect to admission of students at any level. Immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears.”

Other demands of the union include payment of all outstanding promotion arrears, payment of CONTISS 15 migration arrears said to have been owed for a decade, constitution of governing councils by Oyo State government for its polytechnics, disbursement of 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds, request for NBTE to desist from unnecessary interference with respect to students admission among others.

Masopa disclosed that according to the directive of the NEC of ASUP, the union should begin to sensitise its members to the imminent strike.

“In the interest of peace and harmony, the union calls on the government to urgently address all these issues within the 15 days ultimatum as resolved by the NEC of our union at its 111th meeting to avoid further union actions,” he said.