The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its planned industrial action after the government agreed to suspend the implementation of a new Scheme of Service and initiate a review process in line with the union’s demands.
In a press statement released on July 22nd, ASUP stated that the union had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government on July 8th over certain contentious provisions in the new Scheme of Service released by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on June 19th.
The union had argued that the new guidelines fundamentally altered the status of polytechnics, discriminated against holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate, and distorted employee structures in the polytechnic system, among other issues.
However, following a tripartite meeting between ASUP’s leadership, the NBTE, and the Federal Ministry of Education on July 19th, it was resolved that the implementation of the new Scheme of Service would be suspended, and a review process would be initiated to address the union’s concerns.
In the press statement, ASUP expressed appreciation for the “productive intervention” of the Education Minister and the “receptive disposition” of the NBTE Executive Secretary in arriving at the decision. The union also acknowledged the support of various stakeholders, including polytechnic rectors, sister staff unions, and the National Association of Polytechnic Students.
ASUP stated that it would now dedicate its time and energy to the upcoming review exercise, with the aim of producing a document that aligns with the aspirations of the polytechnic education sector in Nigeria.
The suspension of the planned strike action is seen as a positive development, as it avoids potential disruptions to the academic calendar and allows for a collaborative approach to addressing the concerns raised by the union.