ASUP Suspends Planned Strike, Gives Federal Government Six Weeks to Meet Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced the suspension of its planned strike over unresolved issues with the Federal Government, granting a six-week window to assess the government’s compliance with its demands.

In a statement issued on Sunday, ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, said the union’s decision followed positive engagement with the Minister of Education, who has shown “good faith” in addressing some of the union’s long-standing concerns.

ASUP had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government after its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 15, 2025, outlining several unresolved issues requiring urgent intervention.

Following a series of meetings with government officials, ASUP’s NEC reconvened on October 9, 2025, for its 115th session to review the government’s responses and level of commitment.

According to the statement, the NEC acknowledged progress on key issues, including the release of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning the Peculiar Academic Allowance, progress on the 2025 NEEDS Assessment intervention for Polytechnics, and the reactivation of the Polytechnics Implementation Monitoring Committee (PIMC).

Other noted developments include the reconstitution of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee to include the Polytechnic sector and the Education Ministry’s decisive intervention in matters concerning the Federal Polytechnics in Nekede and Ekowe.

The NEC also highlighted the need for further engagement with the National Assembly on the dual-mandate structure of Polytechnics and the establishment of a dedicated regulatory commission for the sector.

Kpanja added that the union took note of ongoing efforts to release arrears of the 25%/35% salary adjustment for tertiary institutions, unpaid promotion arrears, and the restoration of the full governing powers of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) through the constitution of its board.

“In view of the progress listed above and the commitment displayed by the Honourable Minister of Education and his team, the Union’s NEC resolved to put on hold its proposed strike action,” the statement read.

ASUP explained that the suspension aims to allow time for the effective resolution of outstanding issues, including the payment of salary and promotion arrears, conclusion of the ASUP/FGN renegotiation process, review of the outsourcing policy on NBTE’s quality assurance activities, and reconstitution of the NBTE board.

The union said it would reassess the situation in six weeks.

“The Union is appreciative of the efforts and commitment of the Honourable Minister of Education, the Honourable Minister of State and the other officials of the FME,” ASUP added.

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