Polytechnic lecturers, under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), have threatened to embark on a two-week warning strike as from December 2nd, 2024 over unmet demands.
The union said it took the decision during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting yesterday in Abuja.
The lecturers criticised the Federal Government for reneging in implementing a number of demands tabled before them.
It said only one of the “numerous demands presented to the government” had been met.
ASUP President Kpanja Shammah, who addressed reporters at the end of the meeting, said the 11 demands for which the government had been recalcitrant to meet, dated back to successive governments, especially that of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to immediately review and reverse all decisions it sad were inconsistent with the provisions of the Polytechnics Act and other governance instruments in the sub-sector.
The union had alleged impunity and disregard for clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, various edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other governance instruments.
ASUP accused the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) of intruding into the regular functions of the Academic Boards of Polytechnics, particularly on the admission of Higher National Diploma (HND) students within the polytechnic system.
Shammah said: “Our union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held its 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 NEC was the issuance of a 15-day ultimatum to the government to address issues threatening the progress of the sector or face a withdrawal of services by our members nationwide.
“The issues listed by our union include: Sustained reports of impunity and disrespect for clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, different edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other instruments of governance in the sector particularly 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 at Nekede (Imo State) in the appointment process of a new Rector, and the appointment of a Rector in Federal Polytechnic at Wannune (Benue State) without following due process were cited as recent examples of these breaches.
“Non-review of 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 (HND) 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 per cent/25 per cent 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 so as to avoid an indefinite shutdown of the sector.”
