Tension has returned to the Federal Polytechnic Offa as the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has accused the management of the institution of witch-hunting and victimising its members, especially union executives.
In a statement released on Monday, the Chairman of ASUP Offa, Dr. Idowu Atilola, said six executive members of the union had been summoned to appear before the Senior Staff Investigation and Disciplinary Committee (SSIDC) over what the management described as offences linked to union activities dating back to May 2025.
Dr. Atilola described the move as a breach of trust and an act of intimidation, noting that the issues for which the executives are being summoned had already been resolved through dialogue months ago.
“On Friday, 17th October 2025, the Union was shocked to receive multiple invitations for members, six of whom are executive members, to appear before the disciplinary committee over union-related activities that happened almost six months ago,” Atilola stated.
He recalled that in May 2025, the union had halted the commencement of examinations due to the management’s failure to address several issues, particularly the diversion of 2017/2018 promotion arrears that were supposed to be paid directly to affected staff but were instead sent to microfinance banks.
According to him, after a series of meetings involving the union, the school’s management, the Governing Council Chairman, and other stakeholders, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with a clear non-victimisation clause.
“Revisiting this matter now, after an agreement and MoU were signed, clearly shows that the management has gone back on its word. This action is unjust and raises concerns about leadership integrity on campus,” the union said.
The union further demanded the immediate withdrawal of the disciplinary invitations within 24 hours, warning that failure to do so would force the union to adopt a firmer stance.
“As a Union, we cannot fold our hands and watch injustice thrive. We are demanding the withdrawal of all invitations related to union activities of May 12, 2025,” the statement added.
In a swift reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, Iroye Yinka, released a statement on Tuesday defending the management’s actions. He said the disciplinary process was not a form of punishment but a routine administrative procedure aimed at investigating serious allegations from students and staff.
According to the statement, on 12th May 2025, the school’s first semester examinations were disrupted following a directive by ASUP to withdraw from all examination duties, citing non-payment of allowances and other unresolved welfare issues.
The management said it had responded to ASUP’s demands, including:
Paying the ₦5,000 balance for academic staff involved in the summer programme.
Beginning payments for the local component of CONTISS 15 on 9th May 2025.
Committing to pay the 2017/2018 promotion arrears, which amounted to over ₦141 million, of which 87.5% had been cleared.
Despite these steps, the union still insisted that exams should not hold until all arrears were paid.
The management went further to allege that some union leaders physically disrupted the examination process. According to reports submitted to the Governing Council, the following incidents occurred:
On the Mini Campus, the ASUP Assistant General Secretary and another person entered an exam hall, tore answer scripts, and disrupted proceedings.
At the Main Campus, several ASUP executives prevented the Deputy Dean (Exams) from accessing the halls and destroyed question papers.
“These actions violated public service rules, constituted vandalism, and compromised the integrity of examinations,” the statement said.
In response to a petition by students, the Governing Council directed the issue to the disciplinary committee to determine:
The extent of damage done.
Individual roles in the disruptions.
Whether union actions amounted to misconduct.
The management also cited a meeting held on 10th July 2025 with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), where the NBTE condemned the disruptions and described them as unacceptable.
“This is not victimisation. It is due process based on Council directive. Staff being invited are not being punished but are given an opportunity to explain their roles,” the management clarified.
The statement also reiterated the school’s commitment to industrial peace, transparency, and staff welfare but maintained that discipline and respect for institutional processes must be upheld.
As the institution navigates this tense situation, staff and students are watching closely. While ASUP insists on fairness and respect for previously signed agreements, the management maintains that it is merely following administrative procedures.
Students, on their part, have expressed mixed feelings, with some calling for dialogue and others urging both sides to prioritise academic stability.
The next few days will be critical as the union awaits management’s response to its 24-hour ultimatum.
