ASUP Threatens Strike Over Salary Delays

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has warned of imminent industrial action over continued salary payment delays.

The union made this known through its National President, Shammah S. Kpanja, in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja over the weekend.

It warned that continued neglect could lead to widespread disruption in Nigeria’s polytechnic system, affecting thousands of students and staff nationwide.

He expressed grave concern over the non-payment of June 2025 salaries to academic staff across federal tertiary institutions, describing the situation as unacceptable and harmful to industrial peace.

Kpanja stated that the union may instruct its members to withdraw their services from all affected polytechnics if salaries are not paid without further delay.

“The Union will be left with no choice but to sustain the withdrawal of services monthly, should this disturbing trend continue,” he said.

ASUP criticised the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for its “persistent failure” to ensure the timely payment of staff salaries for the past eight months.

According to the union, the transition from the IPPIS to the GIFMIS payment platform has been mismanaged, leaving workers distressed.

Kpanja lamented that academic staff have been reduced to beggars, as they rely on debts to survive each month due to erratic salary disbursements.

He also accused the government of devaluing education, stating that the eight-month delay in resolving payroll issues reflects a broader disregard for the academic community.

“It is a shame that while our lecturers are subjected to penury, politicians continue to live in opulence and focus on political campaigns,” he added.

ASUP called on the federal government to prioritise the welfare of tertiary education workers and end what it described as “deliberate torture.”