Polytechnics Lecturers To Begin Nationwide Strike May 11

By Damilare Adeleye

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike action on 11th of May due to non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action the federal government had failed to honour since May, 2021

Mr Precious Nwakodo, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone D which comprises South-South and South-East, made this disclosure at a press briefing held in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo on Monday.

He said that part of the reason for the strike was the non release of the N15 billion Revitalization Fund approved over a year ago for the sector to address infrastructural deficit as contained in the 2014 Needs Assessment Report.

In his words: “Following the discouraging response of the government to the one month notice of ultimatum which ended five days ago, 4th of May the NEC of the union will be meeting in two days time at Abuja to review the situation and take a decision on the planned strike.”

Nwakodo also said that the Federal and state governments have failed to commence payment of 10 months arrears of the new minimum wage after 3 years of signing the bill into law, adding that many states of the federation are yet to implement the new minimum wage in the various institutions.

Nwakodo also lamented at the manner at which the management of the Polytechnics and Ministries of Education has continued to take actions that were obviously in opposition to the provisions of the law.

He, however, urged Federal and state governments to heed to the yearnings of the academic staff to avoid strike in the interest of the students and parents.