ASUP Issues Three-Week Ultimatum To Federal Government Over Unpaid Salary Arrears.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding urgent action to address unpaid salary arrears and other longstanding issues affecting polytechnic education. The announcement, made on Thursday, 28 August 2025, by Mr Monday Ojo, Chairman of ASUP at Yaba College of Technology, followed an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where the union expressed alarm over “disturbing developments” threatening the sector’s stability.
Speaking on behalf of ASUP President Mr Shammah Kpanja, Ojo outlined key grievances, including the non-release of the Peculiar Academic Allowance circular, unpaid arrears from the 25/35 per cent salary review, and persistent discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders. The union also criticised the delay in releasing the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention funds and the Federal Ministry of Education’s decision to outsource quality assurance activities in polytechnics to unqualified vendors.
“Our members are demotivated by unpaid promotion arrears, some dating back to 2019, which is severely impacting morale,” Ojo stated during a press conference in Lagos. He further condemned the government’s failure to renegotiate the ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement and establish a dedicated National Polytechnics Commission, a move long advocated to enhance sector regulation. The union also highlighted unlawful disruptions of its activities by security agents, citing the Federal Polytechnic Nekede as a notable example.
ASUP’s Zone C Coordinator, Mr Masopa Nurudeen, speaking at a Yabatech chapter congress, underscored the financial hardship faced by lecturers. “Salaries are inadequate, and many of our members are struggling, forced to take on extra work to cope with the economic situation,” he Cale said. The union’s demands include immediate payment of the salary review arrears, full implementation of the new minimum wage in state-owned polytechnics, and an end to HND discrimination.
The ultimatum, effective from 27 August 2025, warns of a nationwide withdrawal of services if the government fails to act within the three-week period. This follows similar threats from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), raising concerns about potential disruptions to tertiary education. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) also issued a concurrent ultimatum, echoing ASUP’s demands for promotion arrears, wage awards, and NEEDS Assessment funds.
The Federal Government’s response remains pending, but the unified stance of academic unions signals growing frustration with delayed commitments. ASUP’s leadership urged the public to press the government to honour agreements, warning that failure to do so could lead to a nationwide strike, halting polytechnic operations.
