The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called off its two-week warning strike and directed all members to resume work on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The strike, which began on December 2, was in response to the Nigerian government’s neglect of polytechnic education and other related issues.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, December 12, ASUP’s National President, Shammah Kpanja, announced the suspension of the industrial action following a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Kpanja revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the union and the government, with the agreement that another meeting would take place on January 23, 2025, to assess progress and resolve the remaining disputes.
“The general public may recall that our union declared a two-week definite strike effective December 2, 2024, due to the failure of the government to implement nine items in a work plan developed jointly with our union to address ongoing trade disputes,” the statement read. “The strike was intended as a warning and a precursor to an indefinite strike.”
He continued, “During the strike, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened a conciliation meeting between our union and the government on December 9, 2024, to prevent an indefinite strike and resolve the issues.
At the meeting, a new memorandum of understanding was signed, with the provision that a follow-up meeting would be held on January 23, 2025, to review compliance and address outstanding matters.”
The ASUP president further stated that the union’s National Executive Council would meet to review the situation ahead of the January meeting.
In light of these developments, Kpanja confirmed that all union members are to resume their duties on Monday, December 16, 2024.
