The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has declared that it would begin an indefinite strike from December 12. This implies that the polytechnic lecturers will join their university colleagues who have been on strike for a month now. The National President of ASUP, Usman Dutse, said the federal government had failed to meet the demands of the polytechnic lecturers which borders on need for increased funding of polytechnics.

ASUP had earlier in October 2 issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government before it extended it to November. But even then, it did not commence the strike.

Mr Dutse also said the roles of state government and the National Assembly is not encouraging when it comes to funding the education sector.

He said the bill meant to review the act on the establishment of polytechnics in the country was yet to be passed by the National Assembly. He said the union was hoping that the strike would also help fast-track its passage.

“The institutions are not funded. The states are even worse because state governments just establish schools without actually funding those schools. So, no infrastructure is in place,” he added.

“We have states that are owing about 14 month salaries. Some owe eight months. Benue, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Kogi are owing up to as long as 14 months,” he said.

The ASUP President stated that the proposed strike would be “total and indefinite”