In a dramatic move signaling growing unrest within Nigeria’s polytechnic system, workers under the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP) have announced a three-day warning strike. The strike, set to commence from Wednesday, January 22 to Friday, January 24, 2025, follows long-standing grievances over the marginalization of non-teaching staff and their denied progression on the CONTEDISS 15 scale.
The workers are protesting what they describe as a deliberate attempt by certain stakeholders to prevent non-teaching staff from advancing to the peak of their careers, a situation they argue has caused significant frustration and feelings of neglect within the polytechnic system.
“We have waited long enough for the authorities to address the disparity in career progression between teaching and non-teaching staff,” said Nura Gaya, the Secretary-General of SSANIP, in an open letter to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa. “The ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service has failed to prioritize our members’ rightful place at the peak of the CONTEDISS 15 scale.”
This latest development is not the first time that SSANIP has raised alarm over the issues facing non-teaching staff in polytechnics. The union has consistently called for the implementation of fair career progression policies that would allow for equitable growth for both teaching and non-teaching staff. However, despite multiple engagements with government representatives, the situation remains unresolved.
The dispute hinges on the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service, a document that outlines the career progression framework for polytechnic staff across Nigeria. The proposed changes to this scheme have left non-teaching staff concerned that their professional growth could be stunted, preventing them from reaching the peak of their career.
“We are being unfairly sidelined,” Gaya added. “We are not asking for anything extraordinary. We want equal treatment with our teaching counterparts. Both categories of staff have distinct roles and salary structures, but it should not mean we are denied the opportunity to progress to the peak of our careers.”
In their letter to the Minister of Education, SSANIP expressed disappointment that previous calls for dialogue and reforms have been ignored or inadequately addressed. They warned that if their concerns are not taken seriously, the warning strike will escalate into a full-blown industrial action.
“The warning strike is not just a protest, but a statement of our seriousness,” Gaya emphasized. “We will not sit idly by while our members are denied the opportunities they deserve. If this strike is not heeded, there will be no going back.”
The SSANIP letter further called on the Ministry of Education to act swiftly to avoid the disruption of academic activities in polytechnics across the country. “We are still open to dialogue, and we hope that the government will do the right thing to avoid further escalation,” Gaya stated.
The strike comes at a critical time when polytechnics in Nigeria are already facing significant challenges, from infrastructure deficits to inadequate funding. The tension between teaching and non-teaching staff has further exacerbated the fragile environment within the educational sector. Many observers fear that this strike could lead to larger disruptions in polytechnic education, affecting students and staff alike.
The federal government has yet to respond publicly to the strike threat, but sources within the Ministry of Education have hinted that discussions are ongoing with SSANIP to find a resolution. However, the union remains resolute in its demands for justice and equity.
This warning strike is expected to affect polytechnics across Nigeria, with many workers planning to down tools for three days to press home their demands. The SSANIP leadership has assured the public that the strike will not disrupt students’ studies significantly, but they made it clear that they are prepared to take more drastic steps if their demands continue to go unaddressed.
“The struggle for fairness and career progression is one we cannot back down from,” said Gaya. “If the authorities think we will relent, they are mistaken. We are determined to secure a better future for our members and ensure that they are no longer treated as second-class citizens in the polytechnic system.”
As the strike date approaches, students and parents are watching closely, concerned about the potential disruptions to their academic schedules. However, many students have expressed solidarity with the workers, acknowledging the importance of addressing the issues of equity and fairness in the polytechnic system.
“I think the workers have a point,” said Chidi Okafor, a final-year student at one of the affected polytechnics. “Non-teaching staff do a lot of work behind the scenes, and it’s only fair they get the recognition and career opportunities they deserve.”
The situation remains tense as both the government and the SSANIP leadership prepare for the start of the warning strike. With both sides yet to reach a compromise, it remains to be seen whether this strike will achieve its desired outcome or lead to further conflict within the educational system.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP) represents workers employed in non-teaching roles at polytechnics across Nigeria. These workers, who include administrative staff, technicians, and other essential personnel, play a crucial role in the smooth running of polytechnic institutions. Despite their importance, non-teaching staff have long been advocating for better career progression opportunities, which they argue have been stifled by a system that favors teaching staff.
The CONTEDISS 15 scale refers to the highest level of the career progression framework for polytechnic staff, a position that non-teaching staff are currently denied, despite their experience and contributions to the institution’s functioning.
