ASUP Defers Planned Strike To December 2, Urges Federal Government to Meet Demands

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria 

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has postponed its proposed nationwide strike to December 2, giving the Federal Government additional time to address its outstanding demands.

In a statement following an emergency meeting of ASUP’s National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja, Mr. Kpanja Shammah, ASUP’s National President, announced the union’s decision. 

This comes after ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government on October 7, urging it to address various issues affecting the polytechnic sector.

Among ASUP’s demands are concerns over the alleged interference by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in the academic admissions processes for Higher National Diploma (HND) students. 

The union also highlighted the need for infrastructure revitalization through the NEEDS ASSESSMENT intervention, timely implementation of promotions, payment of outstanding promotion arrears, and settlement of salary review arrears for Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology from January to December 2023.

In response to ASUP’s ultimatum, the Federal Ministry of Education convened a meeting with key stakeholders on October 23, aiming to address the contentious issues. 

Shammah explained that the meeting resulted in the development of an action plan and resolutions to address ASUP’s concerns.

On October 24, ASUP’s NEC reconvened to assess the proposed action plan. After extensive deliberations, the council resolved to defer the planned strike to December 2 to observe the government’s commitment to implementing the agreed measures.

“The decision was taken to gauge the government’s commitment to implementing the action plan as agreed at the meeting of Oct. 23,” Shammah stated, expressing ASUP’s hope that the government would use this extension to diligently address the union’s demands.

ASUP expects the government to execute the action plan across all eleven disputed items before the new strike deadline.