Polytechnic Lecturers Issue 15-Day Ultimatum To FG Over Lingering Issues

Polytechnic Lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)) has given the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to address a number of issues affecting the smooth running of polytechnics and monotechnics in the country or face prolonged labour disputes.
Rumpier Simuzi, Plateau State Zonal Coordinator B, at a press conference at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Balkin Ladi, said the National Executive Committee, at its last meeting, met with the management of public polytechnics, technical colleges, and monotechnics in the country to discuss a number of issues affecting the polytechnic sector, including He stated that the meeting reviewed the current state of discussions on a number of alarming issues affecting the polytechnic sector.
Regarding some of the disturbing issues affecting the polytechnic sector, the clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnic Act, the various edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other instruments of governance in the polytechnic sector, particularly the appointment of principal officers of federal and state-owned institutions and other matters pertaining to governance in the polytechnics include ongoing reports of impunity and disregard.
Other issues include the review of a pending document titled Polytechnic Work System, non-disclosure of conditions of service, and non-disclosure of the second tranche of the Needs Assessment Intervention Fund.

“Refusal of state governments to implement the 25/35% salary review for members and non-release of the arrears of same in federal polytechnics.”

“Non-payment of promotion arrears in  state and federal institutions and non-implementation of promotion in some state-owned institutions.” The union leadership added.

The union’s National Executive Committee then called for the immediate review and withdrawal of all decisions and acts of intolerance that are inconsistent with the provisions of the Polytechnic Law and other governing instruments in the Polytechnic.

It also resolved to immediately initiate the process of reviewing the suspended document entitled “Scheme of Service for Polytechnics,” which was agreed upon at the July 2024 tripartite meeting.

Other decisions included the release of the second tranche of the Needs Assessment Intervention Fund for Public Polytechnics and Technical Colleges and the suspension of all actions that undermine or duplicate the responsibilities of the Polytechnic Board of Education in the student admission process, as indicated by the recent launch of the Student Admission Portal, the inclusion of negotiated special academic allowances in the budget for the post-IPPIS payment scheme and template for union members; the immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review across all polytechnics in each province; and the payment of outstanding arrears.

In light of these demands, the union said it is determined to continue its advocacy for the functionality of the national polytechnic and monotechnic education system.

It then issued a 15-day ultimatum to the management of the public polytechnics, beginning October 7, 2024.