Breaking: ASUP calls off the scheduled walkout

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics declared on Monday that it will postpone its scheduled walkout in protest of the recently disclosed polytechnic service structure.

ASUP stated that discussions with Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, led to its decision to halt the scheduled industrial action.

Recall that on June 19, 2024, the NBTE presented new service plans that will take effect on June 7, 2024, and were authorized by the Federal Government for Nigerian Polytechnics.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, on the other hand, was against it, claiming that inclusive stakeholder input was missing from the new schemes of service, especially from their union and stakeholders in the polytechnic sector.

In light of this, the Federal Government was given a 15-day ultimatum by the irate lecturers, which took effect on July 8, 2024, to halt the new work schedule or risk various forms of industrial action from the union.

The union said in a statement following the National Executive Council meeting that the government was given enough time to resolve the issue, failing which our resentful members would take various types of industrial action.

“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.

“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,” the union said.