The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics on Monday called off its three-month old strike.

Consequently, SSANIP has directed all its members across the country to return to work.

The association said it took the decision to suspend the strike at its National Executive meeting held at the weekend.

SSANIP National Public Relations Officer, Adebanjo Ogunsipe, in a statement in Abeokuta on Monday, stated, “NEC noted that the suspension of the strike is to enable government to look into other burning issues.

“It has been decided that the on-going industrial action be suspended for two months to allow government look into our remaining demands.”

SSANIP, however, pointed out that only the constitution of the Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and the release of CONTISS 15 circular that were resolved out of all the demands of the association.

It listed the outstanding issues that the Federal Government had yet to address to include the release of government white paper on visitation panels, review of the subsisting scheme of service and the establishment of the Nigerian Polytechnics Commission.

Urging its members to resume work immediately in all polytechnics, SSANIP expressed its gratitude to lovers of polytechnic education in Nigeria, especially the National Association of Polytechnic Students, for their support while the industrial face-off lasted.

The association pledged to always be alive to its responsibilities of upholding quality polytechnic education, stressing that it would ensure the rebuilding of the nation’s education sector.

It however expressed regrets at the manner in which the matter was handled by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqquyat Rufai, noting that it further underscored the disparity caused by the FG between the polytechnic and the university education.

SSANIP warned that if, at the end of two months, outstanding issues had not been addressed, its members would not hesitate to resume the industrial action without any prior warning.