The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Ogun State chapter, has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to fully implement the recently approved ₦77,000 minimum wage for polytechnic workers.

The union expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of polytechnic staff from the new wage structure, two months after it was extended to other civil servants in the state.

ASUP has also raised concerns about poor funding and neglect of polytechnic education in Ogun State.

The union criticized the government for maintaining a ₦5 million monthly subvention for state-owned polytechnics, a figure unchanged for over 15 years despite rising inflation and economic challenges.

Neglect of Polytechnic Education

Speaking at a press briefing held at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, ASUP Zone C Coordinator, Nurudeen Masopa, highlighted the deteriorating condition of polytechnics in the state.

Representatives from six government-owned polytechnics, including Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State Institute of Technology, and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, attended the briefing.

Masopa stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure adequate funding for these institutions.

However, he lamented the state’s reliance on periodic Tetfund interventions to keep the schools operational.

Unaddressed Challenges

The union outlined several unresolved issues, including:
– Non-implementation of the approved ₦77,000 minimum wage.
– Failure to implement the 25%/35% salary increment sanctioned by the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission.
– Withholding of salary arrears since January 2023.
– Lack of progress on the migration to the CONTISS 15 salary structure for nearly a decade.
– Non-domestication and selective implementation of the Federal Polytechnic Act (2019 amendment).

Maso explained that “Part of what has proved to be inimical to the progress of polytechnic education in Ogun State is inadequate funding.

“Ideally, the responsibility of funding tertiary institutions lies on the proprietors. This is not the case in Ogun State Polytechnics.

“It is worthy of mentioning that most Polytechnics in Ogun State are enjoying the sum of ₦5,000,000 only as monthly subvention which is grossly inadequate in the face of current economic realities.

“There is also non-implementation of payment of the new minimum wage in all Ogun State-owned Polytechnics contrary to its approval by the Federal and state governments.

“Another challenge is equally the non-implementation of the 25%/35% salary increment as approved by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) in Ogun state-owned Polytechnics and the continued withholding of arrears since January 2023.”

Masopa also pointed out the exclusion of staff from receiving peculiar allowances and called on the government to prioritize workers’ welfare.

National Strike and Federal-Level Concerns

On a broader scale, Masopa noted that the ongoing two-week nationwide strike by ASUP, which began on December 2, is a response to the National Board of Technical Education’s (NBTE) failure to adhere to agreements reached during a tripartite meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education.

The strike also addresses issues such as the Federal Government’s violation of the Federal Polytechnic Act in appointments at institutions like Federal Polytechnic Nekede, the delay in releasing 2023 NEEDS Assessment funds, and concerns over a contentious Scheme of Service released by NBTE.

Masopa warned that if no significant progress is made after the warning strike, the union would convene to decide on further action.

“In the light of the highlighted issues, and in line with the ultimatum given by the National Executive Council of the Union, the congresses of our unions in Ogun state chapters of ASUP hereby reiterate the resolution of ASUP, NEC at the 112th meeting,” he said.

The union emphasized that addressing these issues is crucial for the advancement of polytechnic education and the welfare of its workforce in Ogun State.