The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day strike ultimatum to the federal government, warning of an imminent nationwide shutdown of polytechnics if long-standing demands are not addressed.
ASUP president, Shammah Kpanja, announced the ultimatum on August 15 during a press conference in Abuja, accusing the Tinubu administration of showing indifference to the plight of polytechnic workers.
The union is demanding payment of arrears from the reviewed 25% and 35% salary increases for lecturers, implementation of the new salary structure in state-owned polytechnics, and the release of circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to cover peculiar academic allowances. It said the government’s failure to act has left staff demoralised and the polytechnic system neglected.
Reacting to the development, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) described ASUP’s demands as “legitimate” and urged the federal government to urgently meet them to avert another strike. In a statement signed by Deputy National Coordinator, Ogunjimi Isaac, and National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael Lenin, the group said the looming strike reflects the chronic underfunding of public education in Nigeria.
“The threat of strike actions ravaging the education sector presently is a clear reflection of the failure of the Tinubu government in public education,” the ERC stated, while calling for solidarity among ASUP, ASUU, students’ unions, and civil society groups.
ASUP last embarked on a nationwide strike in June 2021, which lasted over two months before being suspended after government promises—many of which, the union insists, remain unfulfilled. With the current ultimatum set to expire soon, stakeholders fear another disruption of the polytechnic academic calendar.
