Nigerian Polytechnics Facing Existential Threat, Says ASUP

Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has expressed dissatisfaction with the state of polytechnic education in Nigeria, citing issues of governance, government policies, and staff welfare as major challenges facing the sector.

ASUP national president, Anderson Ezeibe who briefed journalists yesterday in Abuja ahead of the union’s 17th biennial national delegates conference today, said those challenges have posed threat to continued existence of improved polytechnics education in Nigeria.

He said that federal polytechnics in the country have been operating without the full complement of their governance structures since June, 2023, following the dissolution of the governing councils by the government. 

He added that this has affected the smooth running of the institutions, as well as the appointment of qualified principal officers.

He also accused the government of retaining five persons who are unfit and unqualified to be appointed as rectors in five new federal polytechnics in Monguno, Shendam, Wannune, Ugep and Ohodo, despite a court ruling that nullified their appointments.

Ezeibe said that this was a deliberate attempt by the government to undermine the proper administration of the affected polytechnics.

Although the polytechnics lecturers welcomed the decision of the government to include the establishment of a National Commission for Polytechnics in the Roadmap for the Education Sector 2024 – 2027, they hoped that the development will be implemented.

They also welcomed the decision to grant degree awarding status to polytechnics, saying that the development remains the surest way to end the persistent HND/Degree dichotomy that has plagued the sector for years.