ASUP has given the Federal Government 21 days to meet key outstanding commitments.
Failure to address demands could trigger a nationwide shutdown of polytechnics and monotechnics.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to fulfil unresolved commitments from a long-standing agreement with the union.
Following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, August 15, ASUP President Shammah Kpanja outlined the union’s major demands, among them the issuance of a circular to approve payment of the Peculiar Academic Allowance in line with the 2010 ASUP/FG agreement. He said the allowance had been removed from the budget template, with the Federal Ministry of Education failing to take decisive action.
The NEC faulted the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for persisting in outsourcing polytechnic accreditation, despite previously assuring the union it would end the practice.
Kpanja further noted that the 25% and 35% salary review arrears for academic staff, covering a 12-month period and already captured in the budget, have yet to be paid without any clear explanation from the government.
“In view of the issues listed above, our NEC has resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the government to address them satisfactorily,” Kpanja said. “If the government fails to act within this period, the union may declare a trade dispute and halt the services of its members in public polytechnics and monotechnics across the country.”
The ultimatum signals the possibility of a nationwide shutdown of polytechnics and monotechnics if the government does not take urgent steps to meet the union’s demands.
