Strike: ASUP mobilises lecturers as ultimatum issued to Tinubu expires

The 15-day ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics to President Bola Tinubu’s government to meet its demands is set to expire on October 23.
ASUP had threatened to embark on strike should the government fail to address the contentious new scheme of service for polytechnic lecturers across the country.
As the deadline approaches, more lecturers have endorsed the ASUP National Executive Council’s position to mobilise members to withdraw their services once the ultimatum expires.
On Wednesday, Iloma Richard, ASUP zone D coordinator in Port Harcourt, said the government has yet to address the contentious issues in the new guidelines.
Mr Richard said that ASUP had suspended its planned industrial action on July 22, following the federal government’s intervention, which mandated the National Board for technical Education to review the disputed guidelines.
“The strike was suspended to create the necessary environment for the speedy resolution of all contentious issues through stakeholders engagement process. Regrettably, as I speak, no progress has been made in this direction due to the obvious reluctance of NBTE.
“The union has also noted, with regret, a similar attitude of the government towards other welfare needs of the union’s members,” he said.
The union leader highlighted the alleged disregard for quality control in polytechnic education, warning that, if allowed to persist, it would lead to the collapse of technical and vocational education in the country.
According to him, polytechnic lecturers in Zone D, comprising the South-South and South-East states, would withdraw their services once ASUP’s NEC issues such a directive.
“This position has been articulated by our national leadership and formally communicated to all relevant authorities, with a subsisting 15-day ultimatum effective from October 8.
“We shall not hesitate to swiftly mobilise our members from all chapters in the zone if, upon the expiration of the ultimatum, NEC directs any form of industrial action,” Mr Richard added.
The contentious issues in the new scheme include the delayed stakeholders’ engagement on the scheme of service and the non-release of the stakeholders-validated condition of service for polytechnics.
Other issues include the inconsistent provisions of the Federal Polytechnic Act and the Laws establishing state-owned institutions, particularly concerning the appointment of Principal Officers.
Additionally, concerns were raised over the delayed implementation of a 35 per cent and 25 per cent salary review for state-owned polytechnics and the release of arrears for federal polytechnics.
ASUP also demanded the release of a second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund and the immediate capture of members’ peculiar academic allowance, among other issues.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
Redi-Bag USA, CEO to pay $7 million over evaded customs duties allegation
Redi-Bag USA and Mr Rabiea allegedly misrepresented on customs entry forms that the country of origin of the PRCBs was Hong Kong, thus evading anti-dumping duties.

States
ADC mourns Amaechi’s mother
The African Democratic Congress expressed condolences to its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, following the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi.

Economy
RMRDC to boost research culture, drive diversification
RMRDC says it aims to fuel innovation, industrial growth and economic diversification by overhauling its research culture template.

States
Police say bandit attacks foiled in Sokoto
The police command in Sokoto says it has foiled several bandit attacks, neutralised scores of criminals and recorded significant successes against violent crimes across the state.

Africa
Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire seek stronger bilateral cooperation
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to review existing bilateral agreements, assess their implementation and explore new areas of cooperation.

Abuja
Former VP Osinbajo explains how Nigeria can move forward
The former vice-president added that the greatest legacy in leadership was not what was accumulated but what was contributed to make life better for all.





