Polytechnics shut as ASUP begins indefinite strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.

Anderson Ezeibe, ASUP president, who broke the news on Tuesday morning, said the industrial action takes effect immediately.

According to him, members of the union have vowed to shut down polytechnics across the nation till the federal government meets their demands.

Ezeibe said the strike became imperative after the expiration of an ultimatum it gave the federal government last year to revamp the poor state of polytechnics and monotechnics in the country.

The ASUP president also said the union had clearly made its demands known to the ministries of education, state governors, and other relevant bodies, but nothing was done to address the issues raised.

He added that some of the union’s demands include non-implementation of the 2014 NEEDS Report and non-release of revitalisation funds to the sector despite assurances since 2017.

“Our grievances also include the non-reconstitution of governing councils in federal polytechnics and many state-owned institutions leading to the disruption of governance and administrative processes in the institutions since May, 2020,” he said.

“This has also undermined the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government which was unilaterally suspended by the government for over two years now.”

The development comes a few hours after Adamu Adamu, minister of education, held an emergency meeting with leaders of the union to avert the strike.

ASUP had earlier directed its members to embark on strike from April 6, over salary arrears, non-constitution of governing councils, “victimisation” among others.

It also comes a few days after resident doctors went on strike to protest the non-payment of allowances among others.