The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics announced on Monday, July 22, that they’ve made a decision to suspend its planned strike over the newly released scheme of service for polytechnics.
ASUP said the decision to suspend the planned strike was due to the engagements with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
It was recalled that the NBTE had unveiled new schemes of service on the 19th of June 2024, which was also, approved by the Federal Government for Nigerian Polytechnics, and to be effective from 7th of June 2024.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics opposed it, claiming that the new schemes of service lacked stakeholder input, most especially from their union and stakeholders in the polytechnic sector.
Due to this, the displeased lecturers gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, which is to be effective on the 8th of July 2024, and it is to suspend the implementation of the new scheme of work or face strike from the union.
In a statement released at the end of the Union’s National Executive Council meeting, they said the 15-day ultimatum was to provide the government some time to address their dissatisfaction.
“Within the 15-day period, however, our union’s leadership was invited to a tripartite meeting with the leadership of the NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education on 19 July, where it was resolved that the implementation of the flawed document be suspended and a review process be initiated in line with the demands of our Union.
According to the statement, the union said: “The document was immediately suspended by the NBTE through a circular addressed to Chairmen, Governing Councils, Rectors, and Provosts of our institutions on the same day. Following this development, our Union’s NEC reconvened on an emergency note on 22 July to review our earlier position.
“The NEC therefore resolved to suspend the earlier scheduled industrial action in recognition of the fact that the demands of the Union have been met substantially. We appreciate our members’ steadfastness in the face of the unearned provocation; the intervention and inputs of different stakeholders, including Rectors of Polytechnics, sister staff Unions, and the students through the National Association of Polytechnic Students.
“Our union shall therefore dedicate energy and time in the coming days to preparations for the review exercise to finally produce a document that will reflect the aspirations of the sector.”
