The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, commonly referred to as ASUP, made a significant announcement on Monday regarding the suspension of the industrial action that it had previously threatened. This decision came after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum that the union had issued to the federal government concerning the newly released Scheme of Service by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.
During its 110th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, ASUP had expressed serious concerns and subsequently issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government along with its relevant agencies. The union’s primary demand was for the withdrawal of the new Scheme of Service, which they argued was biased against graduates of Polytechnics. They contended that this new scheme exacerbated the long-standing discrimination faced by holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification.
In a statement released on Monday night, ASUP revealed that, thanks to the timely intervention of the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, as well as the leadership of the NBTE, a resolution was reached within the 15-day ultimatum period. The circular announcing the new Scheme of Service was suspended, which was a significant move in addressing the union’s concerns.
In light of these developments, ASUP convened an emergency NEC meeting the following day to reassess its earlier stance and ultimately decided to suspend the planned industrial action, recognizing that their demands had been adequately addressed. The statement, which was signed by the ASUP President, Comrade Shammah S. Kpanja, emphasized the union’s commitment to its members and the public. He reminded the public that the union had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government following a resolution made during the 110th NEC meeting.
The ultimatum took effect from July 8, 2024, and the issues at the heart of the dispute revolved around contentious provisions in the new Scheme of Service that was released by the NBTE on June 19, 2024. ASUP carefully reviewed the document and identified several provisions that they believed fundamentally altered the status of tertiary education for Polytechnics in Nigeria. The union argued that these provisions deepened the existing discrimination against HND holders, distorted employee relativity within the Nigerian Polytechnic System, and unnecessarily increased the operational costs of the institutions.
In response to these findings, the union demanded that the implementation of the contentious provisions be suspended and that a comprehensive review process be initiated through engagement with relevant stakeholders. The purpose of the 15-day ultimatum was to give the government sufficient time to address these grievances and avoid various forms of industrial action from their aggrieved members.
During the 15-day period, however, the leadership of ASUP was invited to participate in a tripartite meeting with the leadership of the NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education on July 19. During this meeting, it was agreed that the implementation of the disputed document would be suspended, and a review process would be initiated in accordance with the union’s demands. The NBTE acted promptly, suspending the document through a circular that was sent out to the Chairmen of Governing Councils, Rectors, and Provosts of the institutions on the same day.
In light of this positive development, ASUP’s NEC reconvened on an emergency basis on July 22 to reconsider their earlier position. The NEC ultimately resolved to suspend the previously scheduled industrial action, acknowledging that the union’s demands had been substantially met. The statement expressed gratitude towards the steadfastness of their members, who remained resolute in the face of what they deemed unearned provocation.
The union also recognized the contributions and interventions of various stakeholders, including Rectors of Polytechnics, sister staff unions, and the students represented by the National Association of Polytechnic Students. They extended their appreciation to the Honorable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Education for his productive intervention and acknowledged the receptive attitude of the Executive Secretary of the NBTE in reaching these decisions. The union expressed gratitude to the media for their continued partnership in these efforts.
Moving forward, ASUP committed itself to dedicating time and energy in the coming days to prepare for the review exercise. This initiative aims to ultimately produce a document that accurately reflects the aspirations and needs of the sector, ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account. The union concluded with a reaffirmation of their solidarity, stating, “Solidarity………. Forever!”
