The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government 21 days to resolve long-standing issues affecting polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Mr. Monday Ojo, Chairman of the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) chapter, announced the ultimatum on Thursday in Lagos. He spoke on behalf of the ASUP National President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja.
Ojo said the decision followed an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, where members reviewed what they described as worrying problems undermining stability in the polytechnic sector.
He explained that the Federal Government had failed to make clear commitments to address the concerns.
“Our position is simple. The government must act to resolve these issues within 21 days,” he said.
ASUP listed the pending issues to include:
- Non-release of the circular on Peculiar Academic Allowance.
- Non-payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent salary review.
- Continued discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.
- Delay in releasing the second phase of the NEEDS Assessment intervention.
- Outsourcing of quality assurance in polytechnics by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The union also criticised some state governments for failing to implement the new minimum wage and accused the Federal Government of dragging its feet on renegotiating the ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement.
Ojo said many lecturers were still owed promotion arrears, some dating back to 2019, which has weakened morale across institutions. He also condemned the disruption of union activities by security agencies and the government’s refusal to establish a dedicated polytechnic commission.
“If these issues remain unresolved after 21 days, we will have no choice but to declare a trade dispute and withdraw our services nationwide,” he warned.
At the same event, ASUP Zone C Coordinator, Mr. Masopa Nurudeen, said salaries remain inadequate. “Our members are facing serious financial difficulties. Many are forced to take on extra jobs just to survive,” he said.
