On Friday, August 15, 2025, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address critical issues plaguing the polytechnic education sector, warning of potential industrial action that could disrupt academic activities nationwide, as reported by ThisNigeria and Punch. ASUP President Comrade Shammah Kpanja, addressing journalists in Abuja, demanded the establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission, criticizing delays in transmitting the executive bill to the National Assembly. He also condemned the use of external consultants for accreditation, noting some are registered as farming or construction firms with no educational expertise, per New Telegraph.
Kpanja highlighted persistent discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders, which affects 1.5 million polytechnic graduates annually (NBTE, 2024), and economic hardships for lecturers, with 25–35% salary review arrears unpaid despite budget inclusion. The union decried the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage in state polytechnics, the removal of the Peculiar Academic Allowance from the 2025 budget, and delays in releasing the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment fund, with the first tranche’s utilization unreviewed since 2023 (Vanguard). ASUP also demanded renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP-FGN agreement, including payment of CONTISS 15 arrears pending since 2014. Failure to meet these demands by September 5, 2025, may lead to a strike, Kpanja warned. X posts from @ASUPNigeria (August 15, 2025) and @EduWatchNG amplified the ultimatum, while @APCWatchNG urged dialogue, citing government efforts to address education funding, with ₦2.1 trillion allocated in 2025 (Budget Office).
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