The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has expressed optimism over the ongoing renegotiation of its agreement with the Federal Government, noting that meaningful progress has been made in recent discussions.
A former National President of the union, Anderson Ezeibe, disclosed this in an interview, explaining that the committee chaired by Yayale Ahmed has formally engaged ASUP's leadership on behalf of the Federal Government to review and update the existing agreement.
He explained that ASUP, similar to other academic unions in Nigeria's tertiary education system, has for years been advocating for improved welfare and structural reforms in the polytechnic sector. According to him, the demands presented by the union align with broader calls for better conditions across the tertiary education landscape.
Ezeibe stated that key issues raised by ASUP include an upward review of salaries, allowances, and overall conditions of service for its members. The union is also pushing for increased funding for polytechnic education, reforms in regulatory and legal frameworks guiding the sector, and the elimination of the long-standing disparity between Bachelor's degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HND).
He added that the welfare of retired members remains a major concern, alongside other matters affecting the sustainability and quality of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Providing context, he recalled that an agreement was reached between ASUP and the Federal Government in 2017. However, its implementation was stalled due to administrative challenges, including the prolonged suspension of governing councils in many institutions at the time. This development, he noted, significantly hindered progress on previously agreed terms.
As economic conditions evolved over the years, ASUP pushed for a comprehensive review of the agreement to reflect current realities. This led to the referral of the union to the Yayale Ahmed-led committee in October last year for formal renegotiation, a process that is also being extended to other unions within tertiary institutions.
According to Ezeibe, several meetings have since been held, with the union submitting detailed positions and demands to the committee. He expressed hope that the ongoing engagements would soon result in a mutually agreed document to be signed by both parties, similar to arrangements being discussed with other academic unions.
ASUP believes that a successful conclusion of the renegotiation will not only improve the welfare of its members but also strengthen the polytechnic education system, enhance institutional capacity, and promote fairness within Nigeria's higher education structure.
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