The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has strongly criticized the persistent delays in salary payments across federal tertiary institutions, describing the situation as a growing crisis causing severe hardship for thousands of workers nationwide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the union’s National President, Shammah Kpanja, ASUP accused the Federal Government of imposing months of financial distress on polytechnic staff through unnecessary delays in disbursing salaries—a problem that has persisted for the past eight months.
Kpanja warned that the union could be compelled to direct its members to withdraw their services if the federal authorities fail to resolve the issue promptly.
“Our union may have no choice but to instruct members to stay away from work in all affected polytechnics if there’s no significant improvement in the coming days,” the statement read. “This action could continue monthly until salaries are paid as due.”
The ASUP president highlighted that the problem coincided with the transition of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), which has been marred by inefficiencies.
“Over the last eight months, staff have endured psychological torment, facing indefinite uncertainty about when their meager, already devalued salaries would be released,” Kpanja said.
ASUP blamed the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for failing to ensure a seamless transition between the payment platforms, leading to the prolonged funding delays for institutions.
“Every stakeholder involved continues to shift blame toward the Accountant General’s office, attributing the salary delays to challenges in funding institutions under the new system,” Kpanja explained. “Despite our repeated formal complaints, there’s been no meaningful improvement, leaving polytechnic staff in distress at the end of each month.”
The union argued that the eight-month transition period is excessively long and indicative of the government’s low regard for education and its workforce.
“Eight months is far too long for a transition of this nature,” ASUP stated. “Only a government that places little value on education would treat academic staff with such neglect.”
Beyond the technical hurdles of payment systems, ASUP described the situation as symptomatic of a deeper disregard for Nigeria’s academic community.
“We are convinced that this ongoing hardship is rooted in the government’s low valuation of the academic community,” the statement continued. “It is disheartening to see workers in tertiary institutions reduced to beggars each month, with salaries barely enough to cover debts incurred while waiting for delayed payments.”
ASUP also condemned the stark contrast between the financial struggles of academic staff and the extravagant lifestyles of Nigeria’s political elite.
“It’s a shame that while academic staff suffer in worsening economic conditions, political leaders indulge in excessive luxury and jostle for power ahead of future elections,” the union said. “This disparity underscores the deep malaise affecting our nation.”
The union is now demanding the immediate release of salaries for June 2025 and an end to the practice of salary delays, warning that continued neglect could disrupt industrial peace in the sector.
“We renew our demand for the prompt release of June 2025 salaries to all affected institutions and insist on a permanent solution to these salary delays,” ASUP said. “This call is made in the interest of preserving the fragile industrial harmony in the tertiary education sector, particularly within the polytechnics.”
