₦airaland Forum

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has dismissed the Federal Government’s proposed loan scheme for its members as a mere distraction, insisting that all outstanding financial entitlements must first be settled.

ASUP National President, Shammah Kpanja, made this known on Friday during a press conference organised by ASUP Zone B at its secretariat in the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

He expressed the union’s frustration with the government’s failure to address lingering issues despite several meetings with relevant agencies.


It will be recalled that ASUP, following an emergencies National Executive Council meeting on August 14 in Abuja, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to settle 12 months of salary arrears and other unresolved demands or face a nationwide strike.

Kpanja said the government’s recent response—a letter suggesting members should wait for the implementation of the 2025 budget before any salary arrears would be paid—was unacceptable and contradictory.

“Just two days before our last NEC meeting, the ministry sent a scanty letter claiming all our issues were being considered. But on the matter of our 25/35 percent salary arrears, they said we should wait until the 2025 budget is implemented,” he said.


“We find this inappropriate. Even as a union, we keep track of national developments. It is only the capital component of the 2025 budget that is yet to be implemented. The National Assembly has already extended that aspect to December 2025, but it doesn’t affect personnel costs.”

He questioned the government’s priorities, noting, “If the 2025 budget hasn’t been implemented, where is the funding for loans coming from? You haven’t paid me what you owe, but you’re promising loans. That’s a contradiction.

“Our position as a union is clear: settle all outstanding liabilities before offering us loans—especially when we weren’t even consulted on the scheme,” Kpanja added.

Despite the union’s dissatisfaction, the ASUP president confirmed that the Ministry of Education has extended an invitation for dialogue, expressing cautious optimism about the outcome. However, he noted that past resolutions were yet to be honoured by the government.

Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone B, Lumpye Innocent Simji, criticised the prolonged delay in granting polytechnics a dual mandate that would eliminate long-standing discrimination against holders of Higher National Diploma, HNDs.

Simji also decried what he described as the Federal Ministry of Education’s lack of commitment to genuine dialogue and execution of previously agreed resolutions.

He warned that the union would not hesitate to withdraw services across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide if the government fails to act within the 21-day ultimatum.

“Our NEC has resolved that if nothing is done about this long list of unresolved issues, we will be left with no option but to declare a trade dispute and commence a nationwide industrial action,” he said

Ofunaofu:
https://dailypost.ng/2025/08/22/pay-our-liabilities-before-offering-loans-asup-tells-fg/#google_vignette

lexy2014:
These asup people must be obidients who are hateful of tinubu

Menclothing1:
Since 1999 ASUU strike minimum 3 month yearly

Tinubu tenure is the only one they have not strike for 2 years straight the arrears owe is from obasanjo Jonathan regime

Tinubu should negotiate and pay them some of the money

duduade:
Offer of loan ... When other things have not been settled
These our people at the top are really clueless

drfasam:
Please be realistic, nothing like ASUP people must be Obedient. You're owing someone and instead of paying his entitlement you decided to offer him loan.

Reference:
So you think. This government knows what they are doing. It is re 'culturing' this country.
Haven't you heard of debt trap.
Once these workers unions take the bait and fall in the trap they will quickly lose their ability to advocate.

Because debts will be issues of the law and once their members begin to face the law on account of their inability to repay their ranks will be decimated.

A lender is always the servant of the giver. The debt society we are building will become an instrument of control and coercion by the government in the long term as soon as all sectors are captured.

People should insist on a well run economy that serves to the well being of all citizens instead of this survivalist system being forced down our throats.

Dvdpity:
Tinubu is killing education in Nigeria. What a calamity!

Menclothing1:
Since 1999 ASUU strike minimum 3 month yearly

Tinubu tenure is the only one they have not strike for 2 years straight the arrears owe is from obasanjo Jonathan regime

Tinubu should negotiate and pay them some of the money

watchindelta:
Lol you they hold me money but you wan give me loan ahahha nigeria comedy 😃 companies of craze 🤪