The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has warned of an imminent nationwide strike following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government and proprietors of public polytechnics and monotechnics.
Rising from an emergency meeting of its Zonal Executive Council at Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, the union’s Zone C Coordinator, Nurudeen Adekunle, accused the government of insensitivity and deliberate foot-dragging in implementing agreements and policies meant to revitalise polytechnic education.
ASUP recalled that its National Executive Council (NEC) had in August 2025 issued a final warning, threatening to declare a trade dispute and withdraw services if grievances remained unresolved.
Among the issues raised were the non-documentation of the Peculiar Academic Allowance (PAA) as contained in the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement, non-payment of 12 months’ arrears of the 25/35 per cent salary adjustment owed to staff since 2023, and the refusal of several state governments to implement the new minimum wage in their institutions.
The union also condemned the outsourcing of accreditation personnel by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), warning it could undermine quality assurance, encourage unethical practices, and impose additional costs on already underfunded institutions.
Other grievances include the non-release of 2023 Needs Assessment funds, the government’s silence on the proposed polytechnic commission and dual-mode degree programmes, as well as the non-payment of long overdue promotion arrears and CONTISS 15 allowances.
ASUP further decried the continued discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in public service despite the National Assembly’s passage of a bill abolishing the disparity, urging President Bola Tinubu to give his assent without delay.
The union also faulted some state governments for failing to domesticate the 2019 Federal Polytechnic Amendment Act, denying staff improved welfare and career progression. Additionally, it condemned alleged interference in union activities, citing the reported deployment of armed security personnel to disrupt meetings at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.
Despite its readiness to strike, ASUP reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue, stressing that only swift government intervention could avert a nationwide shutdown. It warned that continued inaction would cripple academic activities and jeopardise the future of thousands of Nigerian youths depending on polytechnic education.
