Nigeria Polytechnic Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike

Polytechnics in Nigeria have been shut following an indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) over the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.

Anderson Ezeibe, ASUP president stated this on Tuesday noting that the polytechnics across the nation will remain shut till the federal government meets their demands.

Mr Ezeibe said the strike became imperative after the expiration of an ultimatum it gave the federal government last year to revamp the poor state of polytechnics and monotechnics in the country.

According to the ASUP president, the union had made its demands know to the various relevant ministries and state governors without any thing done.

Some of the union’s demands include non-implementation of the 2014 NEEDS Report and non-release of revitalisation funds to the sector despite assurances since 2017.

“Our grievances also include the non-reconstitution of governing councils in federal polytechnics and many state-owned institutions leading to the disruption of governance and administrative processes in the institutions since May, 2020,” Mr Ezeibe said.

“This has also undermined the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government which was unilaterally suspended by the government for over two years now.”

The Nigerian minister of Education, Adamu Adamu had earlier on Tuesday held an emergency meeting with leaders of the union to avert the strike.

Only last week, resident doctors in the country embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

Earlier, ARISE News had reported how Judiciary workers had also shut down the country’s supreme court in protest for financial autonomy for the arm of government.

By Abel Ejikeme

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