The Federal Government has been given a 15-day ultimatum by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), to enact agreements that will improve the working conditions of its members or risk widespread strikes by workers.

Abubakar Abdullahi, the ASUP Chairman of the Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, informed union members of the resolutions made at the Union’s 111th National Executive Council, or NEC, meeting that was held in Abuja on October 6, 2024, during a news briefing in Kaduna monitored by Daily Post.

The union declared that the ultimatum began on October 7, 2024, and that the NEC will meet again to determine a precise course of action when the 15-day period has elapsed.

Abdullahi voiced his displeasure with the Federal Government’s sluggish response and apparent lack of concern for the agreements made with ASUP. With some agreements going back to 2010, members throughout the country expressed serious concerns about the federal government’s delay.

“It is crucial to point out, to raise public awareness, that the goals of these agreements are to enhance working conditions in our institutions and establish a more favorable atmosphere for research, teaching, learning, and skill development.

“The NEC of our Union has decided to give the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum, but only after pretty much trying every possible way to reach a peaceful conclusion. October 7, 2024, was the start of these 15 days.

“The Union hopes that the Federal Government will use the 15-day window to address the issues and prevent a potential shutdown of all polytechnics across the nation,” he said. “The Union has directed all its local chapters and zones to prepare for protests, media campaigns, and other peaceful actions during this period.”

He said that the decision was made after a study of the government’s response to the Union’s engagements, as reported by the Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the Governing Councils of several polytechnics.

The 111th NEC specifically decided to demand an immediate review and reversal of any decisions taken by the Government, NBTE, or Governing Councils that do not comply with the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amended) 2019’s stipulations.

Other demands include the immediate release of the revised conditions of service for the polytechnic sector, the resumption and completion of the renegotiation process between ASUP and the Federal Government regarding the 2010 agreement, and the release and final resolution of the decades-long CONTISS-15 migration arrears for lower cadre staff.

He demanded the release of pending promotion arrears at federal institutions and colleges of education, as well as the prompt implementation of promotions and payment of all accrued promotion arrears in state-owned institutions.

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