The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has accused the Nigerian federal government of undermining polytechnic education by refusing to grant polytechnics the authority to award degrees. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja ahead of ASUP’s Delegates Conference, National President Comrade Anderson Ezeibe highlighted that the ongoing disparity between Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from polytechnics and bachelor’s degrees from universities discourages young Nigerians from attending polytechnics, creating a “de-marketing” effect that could lead to the collapse of polytechnic education in the country.
ASUP pointed to an alarming trend of underfunding and lack of governance in polytechnics. With only 7.8% of the federal budget allocated to education in the current appropriation bill, ASUP argues that meaningful improvements in the sector are unlikely. Ezeibe cited the dissolution of polytechnic governing boards in June 2023 as another destabilizing factor, with many polytechnics now lacking the administrative framework necessary for effective leadership and operational decisions, such as appraisals, appointments, and disciplinary actions.
Further criticism was directed at the appointment of unqualified individuals to principal roles in five federal polytechnics (in Monguno, Shendam, Wannune, Ugep, and Ohodo), which ASUP views as a deliberate attempt by the government to destabilize these institutions. Ezeibe condemned the federal government’s disregard for established laws in these appointments, which he claimed has encouraged some state governments to follow suit by disregarding their regulations in polytechnic administration.
ASUP presented an extensive list of demands, calling for the reinstatement of polytechnic governing councils and the removal of unqualified rectors. The union is also pushing for the release of a formal scheme of service for polytechnic staff, an increase in educational budget allocations, and a framework allowing polytechnics to grant degrees, aligning their academic standing with universities.
Among ASUP’s financial demands are the withdrawal of a 2021 circular requiring institutions to remit internally generated funds, the immediate disbursement of an updated wage structure with arrears for chief lecturers and staff, and a review of the 2024 education budget to align with the sector’s actual needs. ASUP also requested the release of unpaid promotion arrears, the disbursement of eight months’ worth of overdue university staff salaries, and a return to the negotiation table to update the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement.
Ezeibe underscored that these policy reforms and financial adjustments are vital for sustaining and enhancing Nigeria’s polytechnic education system. “These are key items undermining the functionality of the education sector in general and polytechnic education in particular,” he asserted, emphasizing that without government action, the functionality and appeal of polytechnic education will continue to erode.
