ASUP Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Delayed Salaries

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government over persistent delays in the payment of salaries to staff in federal tertiary institutions, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike if the situation is not resolved immediately.

In a statement released on Saturday and signed by ASUP National President Shammah Kpanja, the union condemned what it described as an “unacceptable pattern” of delayed salary payments, which has persisted for eight consecutive months, causing widespread hardship among academic workers.

“This new trend of subjecting staff of these institutions to the mental torture of enduring indeterminate periods of uncertainty concerning salaries coincides with the transition from IPPIS to GIFMIS,” Kpanja stated.

He noted that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is being blamed by various stakeholders for failing to fund the institutions properly since the transition to the new payment system. Despite formal complaints submitted by the union, there has been no improvement.

“Workers in different tertiary institutions have been turned to beggars at the end of each month, with the worthless salaries only serving to service debts incurred,” the union lamented.

ASUP said it was compelled to consider industrial action in the interest of its members, warning that its members may boycott duties across all affected institutions if the government fails to immediately disburse outstanding salaries, including those for June 2025.

The union also decried what it called a clear indication of governmental neglect toward education, citing the prolonged transition period between payroll platforms—IPPIS and GIFMIS—which are both managed under the same federal structure.

“Eight months is too long for a transition, and only a government that places low value on education would treat staff this way,” Kpanja added.

Beyond technical faults, ASUP believes the issue reflects a systemic disregard for the academic sector, contrasting the suffering of educators with what it described as the “mindless opulence” of Nigeria’s political elite.

“While academic workers are subjected to penury, politicians continue to indulge in extravagance and political gamesmanship for future elections,” the union said.

ASUP is demanding: Immediate release of June 2025 salaries; A permanent resolution to salary delays and A commitment to restoring industrial harmony in the polytechnic sector

The union warns that failure to act will lead to a collapse in industrial peace across Nigeria’s polytechnics.