Abubakar said the union is planning to shut down all polytechnics nationwide next week Monday, December 2, 2024, due to the Nigerian Government’s failure to meet its members’ demands.
The umbrella body of polytechnic lecturers in Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, Abubakar J. Abdullah.
Abubakar said the union is planning to shut down all polytechnics nationwide next week Monday, December 2, 2024, due to the Nigerian Government’s failure to meet its members’ demands.
He said, on October 6, 2024, the union leadership issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, outlining pressing demands aimed at resolving the systemic challenges that hinder the progress of polytechnics.
He added that the government had failed to address the issues.
Speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday in Kaduna, the chairman listed some of the demands to include swift release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment Intervention fund, immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review across all public polytechnics, and the payment of accrued arrears.
Other demands are; the release and final resolution of the decades-long arrears of CONTISS-15 migration for lower cadres, the release of outstanding promotion arrears, addressing inadequate funding, and resolving the issue of unpaid allowances.
“Regrettably, as we passed the deadline of this ultimatum, we are yet to see the necessary actions from the Federal Government to address these pressing demands. The silence and inaction have left us with no option but to consider the possibility of a total shutdown of our institutions, scheduled for December 2nd, 2024, should our concerns remain unaddressed,” he said.
Abdullahi affirmed that the survival and quality of the educational system hinged upon the government’s responsiveness.
He stated that the union believed that a strong education sector is vital for the future of the nation and cannot afford to compromise on these issues any longer.
He urged the Nigerian government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the union and take decisive steps towards resolving these challenges.