The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or risk a nationwide strike that could shut down polytechnics and monotechnics across the country.

The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, ASUP President, Shammah S. Kpanja, warned that failure to address the issues within the given window could result in the declaration of a trade dispute and the withdrawal of services by members.

“A failure to utilise this window may lead to the declaration of a trade dispute and withdrawal of services of our members across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide,” Kpanja said.

ASUP’s 13 Demands
The union’s demands include:

Release of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to cover the peculiar academic allowance.
Payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent salary review and full implementation in state-owned polytechnics.
Granting of dual mandate structure for polytechnics.
Release of the second round of NEEDS ASSESSMENT intervention.
Payment of promotion arrears and implementation of promotions in several state-owned institutions.
Renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement.
Domestication of relevant portions of the Federal Polytechnics Act by state-owned polytechnics.
Ending the sustained dichotomy against HND holders in the public service.
Conclusion of discussions on the release of CONTISS 15 arrears, among others.

NAAT Rejects TISSF Loan Scheme
Meanwhile, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has rejected the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a loan initiative introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

NAAT President, Ibeji Nwokoma, described the TISSF as a “distraction,” insisting that the government should prioritise clearing outstanding arrears owed to members.

The union demanded the immediate payment of:

Three and a half months of withheld salaries.
Seven months’ arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance (OHA).
Release of third-party deductions for the two months of withheld salaries that were later paid.

ASUP Gives FG 21-Day Ultimatum to Meet 13 Demands or Face Strike

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