The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has warned that its members will embark on strike if the Federal Government fails to address lingering issues affecting the polytechnic sector after the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum.
The ultimatum, which was issued on August 14, borders on unresolved demands, including the non-release of the Peculiar Academic Allowance circular, unpaid arrears from the reviewed salaries, delay in infrastructural funding, non-implementation of promotions, and continued discrimination against HND holders.
The union also rejected the Federal Government’s decision to outsource quality assurance in polytechnics.
ASUP Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Mr. Lumpye Simji, who spoke at a press conference in Bauchi on Friday, said outsourcing the function threatens academic standards and institutional integrity.
Simji described the policy, which was approved by the Ministry of Education and implemented through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), as “ethically flawed, economically unsound, and detrimental” to the board’s core mandate.
“Our union is totally against outsourcing the core mandate for which NBTE was established to charlatans.
“Quality assurance in polytechnic education is not a function to be traded out to unqualified vendors. It must be handled by professionals who understand the dynamics of technical and vocational education,” he said.
Also speaking, ASUP Chairman at Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Mr. Hussaini Yaro, stated that if the demands of the union aren’t resolved within the ultimatum, ASUP members may withdraw services, potentially leading to a nationwide strike.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
