ASUP Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Unresolved Demands
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government 21 days to address long-standing issues affecting polytechnic education in Nigeria or face possible industrial action.
The ultimatum was announced in Lagos on Thursday by the Yaba College of Technology ASUP Chairman, Mr. Monday Ojo, who spoke on behalf of the union’s national president, Mr. Shammah Kpanja. He said the decision followed an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, where the union raised concerns over unresolved matters threatening the stability of the sector.
Among the grievances are the non-release of the circular for Peculiar Academic Allowance, unpaid arrears from the 25/35 per cent salary review, continued discrimination against HND holders, and the delay in the release of the second round of NEEDS Assessment intervention. The union also criticised the outsourcing of quality assurance in polytechnics, the failure of some states to implement the new minimum wage, the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FGN Agreement, and the non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2019.
ASUP further demanded the creation of a dedicated polytechnic commission and condemned alleged disruptions of union activities by security agencies. Ojo warned that if the government failed to resolve the issues within 21 days, the union would be compelled to declare a trade dispute and withdraw its services nationwide.
