The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a communiqué at the end of its 18th National Delegates Conference (NDC) held from December 8 to 12, 2025, at Crest Hotel, Jos, Plateau State.
The communiqué highlighted key resolutions adopted by delegates after reviewing issues affecting the Polytechnic sector, including national security, funding, staff welfare, governance, institutional autonomy and regulatory policies.
ASUP expressed deep concern over rising insecurity and the high cost of living, calling on government to strengthen campus security and implement economic measures to cushion hardship faced by staff and students.
The union urged the Federal Government to demonstrate renewed commitment to Polytechnics through improved funding, demanding the immediate release of the outstanding ₦100bn from the second round of the NEEDS Assessment Fund.
Delegates demanded the immediate payment of CONTISS 15 migration arrears owed to lower-cadre academic staff, describing the delay as unjust and demoralising.
The communiqué commended the National Assembly for passing the Bill to end the HND/BSc dichotomy and appealed to the President to assent to it without delay.
ASUP also called for the urgent reconvening and conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/Federal Government Agreement, stressing that reforms in funding, welfare and staff classification were long overdue.
The conference expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the constitution of Governing Councils and appointment of principal officers in Polytechnics, warning that such delays undermine institutional stability.
Delegates condemned the prolonged delay in releasing the revised Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service and insisted on the immediate payment of earned allowances to academic officers with additional responsibilities.
The union urged proprietors, particularly state governments, to clear outstanding promotion arrears, salary shortfalls, pension liabilities and third-party deductions.
The communiqué reiterated ASUP’s rejection of outsourcing quality assurance to private vendors and opposed the indiscriminate conversion of Polytechnics to universities, advocating the strengthening of Polytechnics to run B.Tech programmes.
It also welcomed progress on the B.Tech Bill and the National Commission for Polytechnics Bill, while urging state governments to domesticate and fully implement the 2019 Polytechnic Act.
The conference rejected attempts to centralise HND admissions and condemned disruptions of union activities in some institutions.
The communiqué was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ASUP, Itoro Ekanemesang.
