ASUP Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Polytechnic Reforms

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to address longstanding issues affecting Nigeria’s polytechnic education sector.

The union warned that failure to act could trigger industrial action, potentially disrupting academic activities nationwide.

One of the union’s top priorities is the establishment of the National Polytechnics Commission, a dedicated regulatory body similar to those overseeing universities and colleges of education. ASUP expressed frustration over legislative delays in creating the commission.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Friday, ASUP President, Comrade Shammah Kpanja, urged the Federal Ministry of Education to forward the executive bill to the National Assembly without further delay.

Kpanja also criticized the use of external consultants for polytechnic accreditation, raising concerns over the competence of some contractors.

The union reiterated its long-standing objection to the perceived disparity in treatment between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and university degree graduates. ASUP argued that such discrimination undermines sector growth and damages the morale of polytechnic graduates in the workforce.

The leadership cautioned that unresolved issues could lead to a trade dispute:
“The union may be compelled to declare a trade dispute and withdraw services across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide should these issues remain unresolved,” ASUP warned.