Tag: the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has dismissed the proposed loan scheme for its members by the Federal Government as a mere distraction, insisting that all outstanding financial entitlements must be paid first.

ASUP National President, Shammah Kpanja, made this known on Friday during a press conference organised by ASUP Zone B in Bauchi.

He expressed the union’s frustration with the government’s failure to address lingering issues, despite several meetings with relevant agencies.

It will be recalled that ASUP, following an emergency National Executive Council meeting on August 14 in Abuja, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to settle a 12-month salary arrears and other unresolved demands or face a nationwide strike.

Read Also: Japan names Kisarazu as hometown for Nigerians in new cultural, economic partnership

Kpanja said the government’s recent response—a letter suggesting members should wait for the implementation of the 2025 budget before any salary arrears would be paid—was unacceptable and contradictory.

“Just two days before our last NEC meeting, the ministry sent a scanty letter claiming all our issues were being considered. But on the matter of our 25/35 percent salary arrears, they said we should wait until the 2025 budget is implemented,” he said.

“We find this inappropriate. Even as a union, we keep track of national developments. It is only the capital component of the 2025 budget that is yet to be implemented. The National Assembly has already extended that aspect to December 2025, but it doesn’t affect personnel costs.”

He questioned the government’s priorities, noting, “If the 2025 budget hasn’t been implemented, where is the funding for loans coming from? You haven’t paid me what you owe, but you’re promising loans. That’s a contradiction.”

“Our position as a union is clear: settle all outstanding liabilities before offering us loans—especially when we weren’t even consulted on the scheme,” Kpanja added.

Despite the union’s dissatisfaction, the ASUP president confirmed that the Ministry of Education has extended an invitation for dialogue, expressing cautious optimism about the outcome. However, he noted that past resolutions were yet to be honoured by the government.

Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone B, Lumpye Innocent Simji, criticised the prolonged delay in granting polytechnics a dual mandate that would eliminate long-standing discrimination against holders of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

Simji also decried what he described as the Federal Ministry of Education’s lack of commitment to genuine dialogue and execution of previously agreed resolutions.

He warned that the union would not hesitate to withdraw services across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide if the government fails to act within the 21-day ultimatum.

Lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have declared a two-week warning strike set to commence on December 2, 2024, citing unmet demands.

The decision was reached during the union’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.

ASUP criticised the federal government for failing to fulfill several agreements previously reached with the union.

It said only one of the “numerous demands presented to the government” had allegedly been met. 

President of ASUP, Comrade Kpanja Shammah who addressed reporters at the end of the meeting, stated that the eleven demands for which the government has been recalcitrant to meet, dated back to successive governments, especially that of former President Muhammadu Buhari. 

It would be recalled 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 provisions of the Polytechnics Act and other governance instruments in the sub-sector.

Read Also: Arewa Think Tank commends DG of NACA for initiating local production of HIV/AIDS drugs

The Union had also alleged issues of impunity and disregard for clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, various edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other governance instruments.

ASUP had 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.

The ASUP president 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 resolutions of our union’s NEC was the issuance of a 15 days 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 of 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 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 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 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 2nd, 2024 on a two weeks 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.”