The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve long-standing issues affecting the nation’s polytechnics.

The ultimatum was announced on Thursday in Lagos by Monday Ojo, Chairman of ASUP, Yaba College of Technology, who spoke on behalf of the union’s National President, Shammah Kpanja.

Ojo explained that the decision came after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where members raised concerns over “disturbing developments” threatening the stability of the polytechnic sector.

Among ASUP’s demands are:

Non-release of the circular for Peculiar Academic Allowance.

Unpaid arrears from the 25/35% salary review.

Continued discrimination against HND holders.

Delay in the release of the second round of the NEEDS Assessment intervention.

Stalled renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement.

Failure of some state governments to implement the new minimum wage.

The union also faulted the Federal Ministry of Education for outsourcing quality assurance activities in polytechnics and condemned the government’s refusal to set up a dedicated polytechnic commission.

Ojo further lamented that lecturers remain demoralised due to unpaid promotion arrears, with some dating back to 2019. He also accused security agencies of unlawfully disrupting union activities.

“If these issues remain unresolved after 21 days, we may have no option but to declare a trade dispute and withdraw our services nationwide,” Ojo warned.

Similarly, at a Yabatech congress, ASUP’s Zone C Coordinator, Masopa Nurudeen, stressed that many lecturers are going through severe financial hardship.

“Salaries are inadequate, our members are struggling and taking on extra tasks just to survive,” Nurudeen said.

With this ultimatum, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to act swiftly and prevent a nationwide disruption in polytechnic education.