The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government and the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) over unmet demands.
The union's zone C coordinator, Nurudeen Masopa, said in a statement that the union resolved to issue the ultimatum after a recent meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC). The ultimatum issued by the union begins on October 7 and will end on October 20.
“In the interest of peace and labor harmony, the union calls on the government and the owners of public institutions to urgently address these issues within the 15-day ultimatum, as resolved by the CNE of our union at its 111th meeting, to avoid more unions. actions,” the statement reads in parts.
Therefore, the union asked its members to mobilize before the “next fight.”
Issues of concern
Masopa said the Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) met, deliberated and resolved to reiterate the resolutions of the national executive council of the union.
He listed the issues of concern to include non-compliance by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) with the resolutions reached in the tripartite meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Education between NBTE and ASUP in July 2024 on the contentious Service Plan revised. (2023).
ASUP said deadlines were stipulated for specific actions, but that NBTE's conduct reflects a lack of commitment to the resolutions.
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ASUP also accused the NBTE of improper exercise of supervisory function and “usurpation of the power vested in the Academic Board of various institutions by the NBTE in respect of admission of students into Higher National Diploma programs with an attempt to commercialize the process”.
The union is also concerned about the non-implementation of the consequent 25 and 35 percent salary adjustment by the owners of state polytechnics, which came into effect from January 2023.
“Available information revealed that this salary adjustment is yet to be implemented in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Kwara states within Zone C,” he said.
Other topics
The ASUP also expressed concern over the non-payment of consequent arrears in salary adjustment from January to December 2023 to ASUP members in federal polytechnics.
He added: “Cases of irregularities and violations in the appointment of principal officers in some Polytechnics which clearly amounted to violations of the provisions contained in the Polytechnic Act (as amended in 2019) and the guidelines for such appointments.
“Pending CONTISS 15 migration arrears for lower cadres, which have persisted for over a decade, non-release of funds for the 2023 NEEDS assessment intervention to public institutions in Nigeria, non-payment of promotion arrears spanning between 3 and 5 years in the federal government Polytechnics and recurring delays in the implementation of promotion in the state Polytechnics.”
Resolutions
Masopa said the Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) met and resolved to reiterate the resolutions of the national executive council of the union.
He listed the demands to include an immediate resumption of engagement and resolutions of the tripartite meeting held in July, by NBTE on the revised 2023 Service Scheme; immediate implementation of consequential salary adjustment of 25 and 35 per cent in state polytechnics with effect from January 2023 and payment of arrears to members in federal institutions, and immediate allocation and disbursement of funds for intervention NEEDS assessment 2023 to address infrastructure needs deficiencies in public polytechnics in Nigeria.
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“The ASUP requests the NBTE to desist from usurping the power of the statutory bodies, particularly the Academic Board, with respect to the admission of students of any level,” the statement added.
The union also wants immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears in state and federal institutions and constitution of governing councils by the Oyo State government in accordance with the polytechnic law in state institutions to enable smooth functioning of the system.