The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following steps taken by the Federal Government to meet the union’s key demands.
The suspension was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, in Abuja.
ASUP had earlier threatened to embark on industrial action after issuing a 21-day ultimatum to the government on August 15 over unresolved issues including unpaid salary arrears, delayed implementation of the 25 and 35 per cent salary adjustments, non-release of promotion arrears, and stalled renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN agreement.
Kpanja said “the decision to suspend the strike followed the union’s 115th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Oct. 9 to review government’s response to its 21-day ultimatum.”
He noted progress on several fronts, such as the release of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on Peculiar Academic Allowances, the 2025 cycle of the NEEDS Assessment intervention, and the resumption of meetings of the Polytechnic Implementation Monitoring Committee.
According to him, ASUP also appreciated the reconstitution of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee to include the Polytechnic sector and acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s efforts in resolving issues at the Federal Polytechnics in Nekede and Ekowe.
He added that “the union is encouraged by the steps to release arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustment, as well as promotion arrears owed to polytechnic staff.”
Kpanja said the union had therefore resolved to suspend the strike to allow the government more time to conclude ongoing actions, adding that the situation would be reviewed within six weeks to assess implementation progress.
He commended the Minister of Education, the Minister of State for Education, and other ministry officials for their commitment to resolving the issues.
(NAN)