ASUP to Begin Nationwide Strike on December 2

Comrade Abubakar J. Abdullah, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) at Kaduna Polytechnic, announced that the union would shut down all polytechnics nationwide by December 2 due to the Federal Government’s failure to meet its demands.

Abdullah explained that the union had given the government a 15-day ultimatum on October 6, 2024, highlighting urgent issues that need to be addressed to resolve the systemic challenges hindering the progress of polytechnics.

However, he stated that the government had not taken steps to address these concerns.

During a news briefing on Tuesday, November 26, in Kaduna, the Chairman, Comrade Abubakar J. Abdullah, outlined several demands from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

These included the prompt release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment Intervention fund, immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review across all public polytechnics, and the payment of accrued arrears.

Other key demands included the release and resolution of decades-long arrears related to the CONTISS-15 migration for lower cadres, the settlement of outstanding promotion arrears, addressing inadequate funding, and resolving the issue of unpaid allowances.

“Regrettably, as we passed the deadline of this ultimatum, we are yet to see the necessary actions from the Federal Government to address these pressing demands. The silence and inaction have left us with no option but to consider the possibility of a total shutdown of our institutions, scheduled for December 2nd, 2024, should our concerns remain unaddressed,” he said.

Comrade Abdullahi emphasized that the survival and quality of the educational system depend on the government’s responsiveness.

He stated that the union believes a strong education sector is crucial for the nation’s future and cannot afford to compromise on these issues any longer.

He called on the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the union and take decisive action to address and resolve these challenges.