ASUP urges FG to establish National Polytechnic Commission
By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Zone A has urged the Federal Government to establish a National Polytechnic Commission to oversee all polytechnics in Nigeria. The appeal was made by Abdulaziz Ibrahim Badaru, Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone A, during a press conference held at Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse.
Badaru highlighted that the current supervision of polytechnics by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is no longer suitable. He argued that a dedicated National Polytechnic Commission would better address the specific needs and challenges of polytechnic education across Nigeria.
The press conference aimed to inform the public about ASUP’s demands, particularly regarding the contentious scheme of service for polytechnics. Badaru emphasised the union’s quest for a more autonomous and effective governance structure for polytechnics, which would ultimately enhance the education sector and benefit the nation as a whole.
Badaru recalled that ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Government starting from July 8, 2024, following resolutions made during the 110th meeting of their National Executive Council (NEC). This ultimatum was in response to contentious provisions in the new scheme of service released by NBTE on June 19, 2024.
He explained that the union identified several provisions in the document that significantly disadvantaged holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates, disrupted employee relations within the polytechnic system, and unnecessarily increased institutional overheads. ASUP demanded the suspension of these provisions and called for a comprehensive review through stakeholder engagement.
Badaru further informed that during a tripartite meeting on July 19, 2024, involving ASUP leadership, NBTE, and the Federal Ministry of Education, agreements were reached to suspend the implementation of the flawed document and initiate a review process in line with ASUP’s demands. Subsequently, NBTE issued a circular immediately suspending the contentious document.
Following these developments, ASUP convened on an emergency basis on July 22, 2024, and resolved to suspend the planned industrial action for one month, acknowledging that their demands had been substantially addressed.
Badaru expressed appreciation for the steadfastness of ASUP members and the contributions of various stakeholders that facilitated the positive outcomes.
He also called on the Executive Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Bago, to promptly implement a 25 percent to 35 percent salary increment for ASUP members in state polytechnics and to expedite the domestication of the Polytechnic Acts of 2019 as amended to foster productivity and industrial harmony between the union and the Niger State Government.
