The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following positive steps taken by the Federal Government to address the union’s demands.
ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, announced the suspension in a statement released on Sunday. He said the decision was reached after the union’s 115th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on October 9, 2025, to review the government’s response to its 21-day ultimatum issued on August 15.
Mr. Kpanja explained that the government had made progress on several key issues raised by the union, including the release of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission on Peculiar Academic Allowances.
He also noted significant movement on the 2025 cycle of the NEEDS Assessment intervention and the resumption of meetings of the Polytechnic Implementation Monitoring Committee.
According to him, ASUP welcomed the reconstitution of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee to include representatives from the Polytechnic sector — a long-standing demand of the union.
The ASUP president further commended the Federal Ministry of Education for addressing pending issues at the Federal Polytechnics in Nekede and Ekowe. He said the union was also encouraged by ongoing efforts to release arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustments, as well as promotion arrears owed to polytechnic staff.
“Consequently, our NEC resolved to put on hold the proposed strike to give the government more time to conclude ongoing actions,” Kpanja stated.
However, he added that ASUP would review the situation within six weeks to assess the level of implementation of the commitments made by the government.
Kpanja expressed appreciation to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Education, alongside other ministry officials, for their constructive engagement and commitment to resolving the long-standing issues affecting the polytechnic sector.
