The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C, which comprises the South-West and Kwara State, has criticised the Federal Government for its silence following a 15-day strike ultimatum issued last week. The union demands urgent action to address issues affecting polytechnic education nationwide.

At a press briefing held at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, on Monday, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP, Comrade Adekunle Masopa, expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to respond.

He warned that the union would not be held responsible for any industrial action if the demands were ignored after the ultimatum expires on October 22, 2024.

“It is unfair for the government to have kept mute since last week when the union issued the ultimatum. The lecturers would definitely not have to be blamed should they decide to embark on strike at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Masopa stated.

Masopa criticised the government for neglecting the polytechnic education sector, which he said plays a crucial role in driving technological advancement in Nigeria. He said that the union would not stand by and watch the collapse of such a vital part of national development.

The union’s demands include the National Board for Technical Education’s (NBTE) compliance with agreements made with ASUP in July 2024 on the contentious reviewed scheme of service. The union also condemned what it described as NBTE’s undue interference in the admission process for Higher National Diploma (HND) programs, a responsibility it said belongs to the Academic Boards of the various institutions.

The unresolved issues include: non-payment of promotion arrears spanning three to five years in federal polytechnics and delays in state polytechnic promotions; unpaid 25/35% consequential salary adjustments meant to take effect from January 2023, with the federal government owing one year of arrears and states in the Southwest and Kwara yet to implement the adjustment; outstanding CONTISS 15 migration arrears withheld for over a decade; interference in student admissions by the NBTE, undermining the authority of polytechnic academic boards; and lack of governing councils for Oyo State polytechnics and delays in disbursing the 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds.

To prevent a looming strike, Masopa outlined several conditions: “The government must resume active duty and commitment to the resolutions of the tripartite meeting held in July 2024 on the 2023 reviewed scheme of service.

There must be immediate implementation of the 25/35 percent consequential salary adjustment in state polytechnics from January 2023, as well as payment of the one-year arrears to federal institutions without further delay.”

The union also demanded that the NBTE stop usurping the powers of Academic Boards regarding student admissions. Additionally, ASUP requested the payment of long-overdue promotion arrears, CONTISS 15 migration arrears dating back a decade, the constitution of governing councils for polytechnics in Oyo State, and the disbursement of the 2023 NEEDS Assessment intervention funds.

Masopa disclosed that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) had instructed members to prepare for an imminent strike.

“In the interest of peace and harmony, the union calls on the government to urgently address all these issues within the 15-day ultimatum as resolved by the NEC of our union at its 111th meeting to avoid further union actions,” he said.

The press briefing was attended by Chairmen of both federal and state-owned polytechnics from the South-West and Kwara States.