The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed loan scheme for its members, describing it as a distraction from more pressing issues.
ASUP National President, Shammah Kpanja, stated this on Friday during a press conference held by ASUP Zone B in Bauchi.
He expressed the union’s dissatisfaction with the government’s continued failure to address long-standing financial obligations despite several meetings with relevant agencies.
The union had earlier, at an emergency National Executive Council meeting on August 14 in Abuja, given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to settle 12 months’ salary arrears and other unresolved demands or risk a nationwide strike.
Kpanja noted that the government’s recent response—a letter advising members to wait for the 2025 budget before payment of salary arrears—was unacceptable and contradictory to earlier commitments.
“Just two days before our last NEC meeting, the ministry sent a scanty letter claiming all our issues were being considered. But on the matter of our 25/35 percent salary arrears, they said we should wait until the 2025 budget is implemented,” he said.
“We find this inappropriate. Even as a union, we keep track of national developments. It is only the capital component of the 2025 budget that is yet to be implemented. The National Assembly has already extended that aspect to December 2025, but it doesn’t affect personnel costs.”
He questioned the government’s priorities, noting, “If the 2025 budget hasn’t been implemented, where is the funding for loans coming from? You haven’t paid me what you owe, but you’re promising loans. That’s a contradiction.”
“Our position as a union is clear: settle all outstanding liabilities before offering us loans—especially when we weren’t even consulted on the scheme,” Kpanja added.
Despite the union’s dissatisfaction, the ASUP president confirmed that the Ministry of Education has extended an invitation for dialogue, expressing cautious optimism about the outcome. However, he noted that past resolutions were yet to be honoured by the government.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone B, Lumpye Innocent Simji, criticised the prolonged delay in granting polytechnics a dual mandate that would eliminate long-standing discrimination against holders of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).
Simji also decried what he described as the Federal Ministry of Education’s lack of commitment to genuine dialogue and execution of previously agreed resolutions.
He warned that the union would not hesitate to withdraw services across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide if the government fails to act within the 21-day ultimatum.
“Our NEC has resolved that if nothing is done about this long list of unresolved issues, we will be left with no option but to declare a trade dispute and commence a nationwide industrial action,” he said.
