Tension on Campus: ASUP issues 21-Day ultimatum before embarking on Strike

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike if its demands are not met. According to ASUP Zone B Zonal Coordinator Innocent Simji, the union’s National Executive Council resolved to take this step due to the government’s failure to address pressing issues affecting the polytechnic sector.

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The union’s demands include the release of circulars covering peculiar academic allowances, payment of arrears of the 25/35% salary review, and implementation of the review in state-owned polytechnics. Other demands include the grant of a dual mandate structure to eliminate the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates, the release of approved needs assessment funds for infrastructure, and stopping the outsourcing of the National Board for Technical Education’s quality assurance mandate to unqualified vendors.

Simji emphasised that the union’s NEC meeting held on August 14 in Abuja resolved to issue the ultimatum due to the government’s non-committal disposition to genuine dialogue. “If nothing is done within this period, we will be forced to declare a trade dispute and withdraw the services of our members across all public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide,” Simji warned.

The ASUP leader also expressed concerns about the continued dichotomy against HND holders in public service, the non-release of CONTISS 15 arrears, the militarisation of campuses, and undue interference in union activities. “The Union at her last emergency National Executive Council meeting resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the government to address some germane issues threatening the survival of the polytechnic sector,” Simji stated.

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