Polytechnic lecturers suspend planned strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its planned industrial action over controversial provisions in the new duty roster of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The union had given the NBTE a 15-day ultimatum, effective July 8, 2024, to withdraw the document or face individual litigation.

The union in a statement signed by the President, Comrade

Shammah S. Kpanja said the decision to suspend the measure was taken after a meeting with the government which later led to the withdrawal of the said service programme.

The statement read in part: “The ultimatum came into effect on July 8, 2024 and the issue revolved around controversial provisions in the new duty roster published by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on June 19, 2024.”

“Our union examined the document and identified several provisions that fundamentally altered the higher education status of polytechnics in Nigeria, exacerbated the reprehensible and age-old discrimination against holders of the Higher National Diploma certificate, distorted employee relations in the Nigerian Polytechnic, unnecessarily increased the overhead costs of the institutions, etc.

“The union therefore called for a suspension of the implementation of the controversial provisions and the initiation of a thorough review through a stakeholder engagement process.

“The 15-day ultimatum should give the government sufficient time to address our grievance, otherwise our disgruntled members would have to face various forms of industrial action.

“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 to initiate a review process in line with the demands of our union.

“The document was immediately revoked by the NBTE through a circular sent to the Chairmen of the Boards of Governors, Rectors and Provosts of our institution on the same day.

“Following this development, our union’s NEC reconvened in an emergency meeting on 22 July to review our previous position. The NEC therefore decided to suspend the previously planned industrial action as the union’s demands had 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 the Rectors of the Polytechnics, sister unions and students through the National Association of Polytechnic Students.

“We are equally grateful for the productive intervention of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Education and the open-minded attitude of the Executive Secretary of the NBTE in the decision-making process as well as to the media who have once again proved themselves to be worthy partners.

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

Solidarity”.