ASUP GIVES FG 21-DAYS ULTIMATUM OVER UNMET DEMANDS…………
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal and State Governments 21 days to address long-standing issues affecting the polytechnic sector or face a nationwide strike.
Zonal Coordinator, Lumpye Simji, speaking in Bauchi, said some of the union’s demands have been ignored for over two decades, threatening the survival of polytechnics. He stressed that all chapters across the country have been directed to hold similar press briefings to send a clear message of seriousness.
ASUP’s National President, Comrade Shammah Kpanja, criticized government’s new student loan initiative, insisting that arrears and outstanding obligations to lecturers must first be settled. He faulted the Federal Ministry of Education for neglecting genuine dialogue and failing to act on previous agreements.
The union warned that failure to meet its demands within the ultimatum will lead to a full-blown trade dispute and withdrawal of services nationwide.