Polytechnic workers threaten strike, issue 21-day ultimatum

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics on Thursday issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over what it described as long-standing unmet demands.

The decision followed the union’s 77th General Executive Council meeting held between Tuesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta, Kano State, where issues affecting members’ welfare and the union were extensively discussed.

The communiqué of the meeting, made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday, listed several concerns.

“The council also observed that despite several efforts to ensure peaceful resolution of the above-stated demands, the government has only paid lip service to the issues.

Based on the above, the union demands immediate action on the listed issues within 21 days beginning from today, 27th August, 2025, or we will be left with no option but to withdraw our services across the nation”, the communiqué partly stated.

reports that both academic and non-academic unions across Nigeria’s higher institutions have, in recent weeks, issued ultimatums and strike threats.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities recently embarked on nationwide protests to press home its grievances against the government.

According to SSANIP’s communiqué, the council reviewed unresolved issues with government, including: release of the new schemes and conditions of service; constitution of the renegotiation committee on the 2010 agreement; non-release of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Needs Assessment funds; non-payment of arrears such as promotion arrears, 25/35% salary review arrears, wage award, and full implementation of the new minimum wage.

The union expressed displeasure over what it described as the government’s insincerity in honouring agreements and prioritising the education sector.