The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has called on the Federal Government to urgently release the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Needs Assessment Funds, warning that continued neglect of the polytechnic sector could cripple technical education in the country.
In a communique issued at the conclusion of its 76th General Executive Council (GEC) meeting held in Abuja, SSANIP expressed concern over non-release of funds earmarked to drive infrastructure and academic development in Nigeria’s polytechnics.
The communique, jointly signed by SSANIP National President, Comrade Philip Ogunsipe, and National Secretary, Comrade Shehu Gaya emphasised that while N150 billion has been released to universities under the same initiative, polytechnics and colleges of education remain sidelined.
“This disparity is unjustifiable and undermines the role of polytechnics in national development,” the union stated, adding that the release of the funds is not just a request but “a necessary step to safeguarding the future of Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.”
Among other key resolutions, SSANIP demanded urgent action by state governments to increase monthly subventions to state-owned polytechnics in line with inflation and operational needs and full implementation and payment of the 25/35% salary review arrears by the federal government and respective states.
Other demands made by SSANIP include immediate remittance of outstanding promotion arrears and five-month wage awards owed to federal workers, and enforcement of existing regulations against the usurpation of non-teaching staff positions by academic staff.
The union also criticised the federal government’s delay in implementing the new minimum wage signed into law in July 2024 and flagged concerns about unremitted National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions by the IPPIS.
SSANIP warned that failure to address these issues could result in industrial actions that may disrupt the academic calendar across polytechnics nationwide.
The communique reads in parts, “The union calls on the federal government to as a matter of urgency release the withheld 2022 Needs Assessment. It also calls for the release of 2023, 2024 and 2025 Needs Assessment to boost developmental projects in our various Institutions of learning.
“Council-in-session calls on state governments to review the current monthly subvention allocated to state-owned Polytechnics.
“This appeal arises from the growing inadequacy of the funds provided to these institutions, exacerbated by the prevailing inflationary rate that has significantly increased the cost of operation.
“Council observes that the subventions currently allocated to some state polytechnics have remained stagnant over years, failing to keep pace with the economic realities of inflation, rising utility costs, and the increasing need for technological advancements in education”.
