The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced that its two-week strike, which began on December 2, 2024, will officially end, with members directed to return to their duties on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The decision came after a successful conciliation meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on December 9, where a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the union and the government.
ASUP’s President, Kpanja Shamnah, released a statement detailing the union’s position and explaining the steps that led to the resolution.
“We thank our members for their commitment and resilience throughout this period,” Shamnah said in the statement.
The strike was initially called due to the government’s failure to fulfill nine critical items in a work plan agreed upon between the union and the government.
These unresolved issues have been a source of tension for ASUP members, who have long been demanding improvements in their working conditions and the overall state of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
The union’s decision to take industrial action was a response to the government’s inaction on these matters, which included funding shortfalls and staffing concerns.
In a statement from the union, it was highlighted that the strike was intended as a warning, a precursor to an indefinite strike should the issues remain unresolved.
However, the recent conciliation meeting held with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment seems to have made significant progress in addressing some of the concerns raised by ASUP.
“The meeting held on December 9, 2024, resulted in the signing of a new memorandum of understanding between the union and the government,” the statement continued.
“The MoU also included a stipulation that another meeting will be held on January 23, 2025, to assess the compliance of both parties and to discuss any further unresolved issues.”
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment played a pivotal role in bringing both sides to the table, preventing the strike from escalating into an indefinite action.
ASUP’s leadership made it clear that while progress had been made, they would remain vigilant and monitor the government’s commitment to implementing the resolutions outlined in the MoU.
“We hope that the government will diligently work to ensure a fruitful resolution of the issues in dispute,” the statement concluded.
The union’s strike had caused significant disruption to polytechnic education across the country, affecting students and faculty alike.
Polytechnic institutions had been forced to close their doors during the strike, with students missing out on valuable learning time.
For many, the announcement of the strike’s end comes as a relief, as classes will resume, and students will be able to continue their education.
Despite the resumption of work, ASUP members have expressed concerns over the government’s track record in fulfilling previous agreements, and they will be watching closely to ensure that promises made during the meeting are kept.
The strike’s impact was not only felt by students but also by the broader community, with many calling for a more efficient and timely resolution of such disputes.
The union has long been at odds with the government over its handling of the polytechnic education sector, and this recent strike is just one in a series of industrial actions aimed at securing better conditions for lecturers and staff.
ASUP’s leadership has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s failure to meet its obligations, but the recent developments offer hope for a resolution that could improve the situation for polytechnic staff across the country.
The government, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to resolving the issues raised by the union and ensuring that the polytechnic education sector receives the attention it deserves.
The MoU signed between ASUP and the government outlines a series of measures designed to address the union’s grievances, including a plan to improve funding and resources for polytechnic institutions.
The upcoming meeting in January will provide a further opportunity for both sides to review the progress made and determine whether the issues have been adequately addressed.
ASUP members will be keeping a close eye on the developments, as they look to ensure that the government follows through on its promises.
While the return to work marks a temporary end to the strike, the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria remains uncertain, and many are calling for more long-term solutions to the ongoing challenges faced by the sector.
