Polytechnic Students In Limbo: ASUP Issues Fiery 21-Day Ultimatum To FG

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address lingering challenges confronting polytechnic education across the country.

The announcement was made on Thursday in Lagos by the Chairman of ASUP at Yaba College of Technology, Monday Ojo, who spoke on behalf of the union’s National President, Shammah Kpanja.

Ojo explained that the decision followed an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where members expressed concern over “disturbing developments” undermining the stability of the polytechnic system.

“This situation has left us with no option but to issue this ultimatum. We demand that the Federal Government address these issues satisfactorily,” Ojo said.

Among the union’s grievances are the non-release of the circular on Peculiar Academic Allowance, unpaid arrears from the 25/35 per cent salary review, and the continued discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders. ASUP also decried the delay in releasing the second round of NEEDS Assessment intervention and criticised the Ministry of Education for outsourcing quality assurance in polytechnics.

The union further condemned the Federal Government for stalling the renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement and faulted some state governments for failing to implement the new minimum wage.

Ojo lamented that many members were demoralised due to outstanding promotion arrears, with some dating back to 2019. He also accused security agencies of disrupting union activities and criticised government’s failure to establish a dedicated polytechnic commission.

“If these issues remain unresolved after 21 days, we may be forced to declare a trade dispute and withdraw our services nationwide,” he warned.

Also speaking at an ASUP congress in Yaba, the union’s Zone C Coordinator, Masopa Nurudeen, said polytechnic lecturers were enduring severe financial hardship.

“Salaries are inadequate, our members are struggling financially, and many are forced to take on extra jobs just to cope with the harsh economic reality,” Nurudeen lamented.