ASUP gives FG 15-day ultimatum to meet demands

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government and other relevant agencies to immediately review and reverse all decisions and acts of impunity that are inconsistent with the provisions of the Polytechnics Act and other governance instruments in the sector.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, Plateau State, the Zone B Chairman of the Union, Comrade Lumpye Innocent Simji, expressed concern over ongoing reports of impunity and disregard for the clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, various edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other governance instruments in the sector.

This particularly affects the appointment of principal officers in both federal and state-owned institutions, as well as other governance issues in polytechnics.

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Comrade Simji accused the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) of overstepping its bounds by intruding into the regular functions of the Academic Boards of Polytechnics, particularly in the admission of Higher National Diploma students within the Nigerian Polytechnic System.

He noted that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Union is calling for the immediate commencement of the review process for the suspended document titled “Scheme of Service for Polytechnics,” as agreed upon during the tripartite meeting of July 2024.

According to him, the Union also demands the release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund for public polytechnics and colleges of technology.

Additionally, the Union insists on the cessation of all actions that undermine or duplicate the responsibilities of Academic Boards of Polytechnics in student admissions, as demonstrated by the recent launch of a student admission portal by the NBTE.

Comrade Simji further stated that the Union demands the inclusion of the negotiated Peculiar Academic Allowance in the budget under the post-IPPIS payment scheme/template for its members, as well as the immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review across all tertiary institutions in the states and the payment of the accrued arrears.