BREAKING NEWS: ASUP suspends planned strike

The union of academic staff at universities of applied sciences announced on Monday the decision to suspend its planned strike in connection with the newly published duty roster for universities of applied sciences.

ASUP said the decision to suspend the planned industrial action was based on discussions with Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman.

As a reminder, the NBTE on June 19, 2024, unveiled new service plans approved by the Federal Government for Nigerian Polytechnics, effective from June 7, 2024.

However, the Polytechnic Academic Staff Union rejected this, claiming that the new service plans lacked comprehensive stakeholder involvement, particularly from their union and stakeholders in the polytechnic sector.

Against this background, the angry lecturers gave the federal government an ultimatum of 15 days, effective from July 8, 2024, or they could suspend the implementation of the new work program, otherwise they would have to face various forms of industrial action by the union.
In a statement issued at the end of the National Executive Council meeting, the union said the 15-day ultimatum was to give the government sufficient time to address our grievance, failing which we would have to face various forms of industrial action from our disgruntled members.

“However, within the 15-day deadline, the leadership of our union was invited to a tripartite meeting with the leadership of the NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education on July 19, where it was decided to suspend the implementation of the erroneous document and initiate a review process in line with the demands of our union.

“The document was promptly suspended by the NBTE through a circular to the Chairmen, Governing Councils, Rectors and Provosts of our institutions on the same day. Following this development, the NEC of our union reconvened in an emergency meeting on July 22 to review our previous position.

“The NEC has therefore decided to suspend the previously planned industrial action as the demands of the union have been substantially met. We appreciate the steadfastness of our members in the face of this undeserved provocation as well as the intervention and contributions of various stakeholders including Rectors of Polytechnics, sister unions and the students through the National Association of Polytechnic Students.

“Our union will therefore devote a lot of time and energy in the coming days to preparing for the review in order to ultimately produce a document that reflects the aspirations of the sector,” the union said.