Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics threatens strike, Gives FG a 21-day ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government 21 days to fulfill outstanding commitments contained in an earlier agreement with the union.

ASUP President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja, announced this on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

Kpanja noted that one of the union’s key demands is the release of a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission to authorize payment of the Peculiar Academic Allowance, a benefit included in the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement. He lamented that instead of making provisions for this payment, the allowance was removed from the budgeting template, and the Federal Ministry of Education has failed to take decisive action on the matter.

The NEC also raised concerns over the National Board for Technical Education’s (NBTE) continued outsourcing of the polytechnic accreditation process despite previous assurances to end the practice.

Kpanja further stated that the 25% and 35% salary review arrears covering 12 months, though captured in the budget, have not been released, with no clear explanation provided. He added that many state governments have yet to implement the new national minimum wage and expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in approving a dual mandate structure to address discrimination against HND holders.

Given these unresolved issues, the NEC has resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum for the government to act. Failure to meet the demands within this period, Kpanja warned, could result in the union declaring a trade dispute and embarking on a nationwide strike affecting public polytechnics and monotechnics