By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – Polytechnic lecturers in the South-South and South-East have endorsed the 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved issues affecting polytechnic education in Nigeria.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) earlier issued the ultimatum which took effect from Aug. 18 after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Dr Illoma Richard, ASUP Zone D Coordinator, reaffirmed the position of the lecturers during an emergency meeting of the Zonal Executive Council held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Richard recalled that the union had suspended a two-week strike in December 2024 to allow engagement with the government on issues that had necessitated the strike in the first place.
He, however, lamented that despite ASUP’s best efforts to reach a speedy resolution, much progress had not been made.
“Regrettably, after eight months of suspending the strike, no significant progress has been made in this direction.
“Instead, most of the issues have degenerated to pitiable states which may lead to the eventual collapse of Technical and Vocational Education in Nigeria if nothing urgent is done,” he warned.
The contentious issues listed include the delayed approval of a dual mandate structure for polytechnics and the refusal to establish a dedicated regulatory commission for the polytechnic sector.
Others are the alleged military invasion and interference in ASUP activities at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo and the delay in implementing promotions and paying arrears dating back to 2019.
The union is also challenging the non-release of arrears from the 25 to 35 per cent salary review, and non-implementation of the review in several state-owned institutions.
Further demands include the non-release of circulars for peculiar academic allowances, stalled NEEDS Assessment interventions, outsourcing of quality assurance activities, and the government’s refusal to renegotiate the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement, among others.
Richards also lamented the sustained discrimination against HND holders in the public service and the stalled discussions on CONTISS 15 arrears.
According to him, the demands have been well articulated by the union’s national leadership and formally transmitted to all relevant authorities with the subsisting three weeks ultimatum.
“In light of this, we shall not hesitate to mobilise members across the South-South and South-East zones if the ultimatum expires without resolution,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUP Zone D comprises polytechnics and monotechnics in 11 states across the two geopolitical zones. (NAN)
