Nigerian Polytechnics are shut down as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) embarked on an indefinite strike today, Tuesday, over non-implementation of its demands by the Federal Government.

ASUP president, Anderson Ezeibe, gave the announcement of the strike at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ezeibe stated that members of the union have vowed to shut down polytechnics across the nation till the Federal Government meets their demands.

He added that the strike became important after the expiration of an ultimatum the union gave the Federal Government last year to revamp the poor state of polytechnics and monotechnics in the country.

It was also disclosed that the the union’s demands were communicated to the ministries of education, labour and others as well as to state governors but nothing was done about them.

Ezeibe listed the lecturers’ grievances to include non-implementation of 2014 NEEDS Report and non-release of revitalization fund to the sector despite assurances since 2017.

 “Our grievances also include the non-reconstitution of governing councils in Federal Polytechnics and many state-owned institutions leading to the disruption of governance and administrative processes in the institutions since May, 2020.

“This has also undermined the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government which was unilaterally suspended by the government for over two years now,” he said.

The development comes a few hours after Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, held an emergency meeting with leaders of the union to avert the strike.

ASUP had earlier directed its members to embark on strike from April 6, over salary arrears, non-constitution of governing councils, “victimisation” among others.

It also comes a few days after resident doctors went on strike to protest the non-payment of allowances among others.