Tag: polytechnic

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, Zone E, has called on the Federal Government to fully implement the directives and mandates of the National Board for Technical Education regarding the proper delineation of duties within the polytechnic system.

The call formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the 49th Regular Zonal Executive Council meeting of the South-South zone of the association held at Federal Polytechnic Ukana on Thursday.

In a communiqué jointly signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Godwin Ikhide, and the Zonal Secretary, Eni Usang, the union stressed the need for strict implementation of the directives to curb what it described as the continuous usurpation of non-teaching staff positions by teaching staff.

The council noted that proper enforcement of the NBTE directives would eliminate recurring conflicts over responsibilities in the polytechnic sector.

“Council frowned at the continuous usurpation of positions and responsibilities meant for non-teaching staff in the polytechnic sector and called for the speedy implementation of the directives and mandates of the National Board for Technical Education regarding the proper delineation of duties,” the communiqué stated.

The union also expressed concern over the delay in implementing the 2019 scheme of service, urging the Federal Government to expedite action on its release and enforcement.

According to the council, the continued delay in implementation was counterproductive to the growth and smooth administration of the polytechnic system.

On staff welfare, SSANIP encouraged its branches across the country to introduce and strengthen welfare schemes aimed at supporting members.

The council further commended the national leadership of the association for what it described as effective representation in negotiations and engagements geared toward improving the welfare of Nigerian workers, particularly members of the union.

The union also applauded the management of Federal Polytechnic Ukana for the effective utilisation of allocations from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, noting that more than 80 per cent of projects in the institution were products of TETFund interventions.

SSANIP, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the worsening insecurity in the country and the rising cost of petroleum products, saying the situation was taking a toll on Nigerians, including workers in the polytechnic sector.

“The council urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the high level of insecurity and the prices of petroleum products which are affecting everybody, including our members,” the communiqué added.

Speaking during the meeting, the Deputy National Secretary of SSANIP, Emmanuel Enyiegor, disclosed that negotiations were ongoing between the Federal Government and tertiary institution unions on issues affecting the sector.

He expressed optimism that the discussions would soon produce outcomes favourable to both the government and the unions.

According to him, discussions also cover the review of schemes of service, conditions of service, staff allowances, work environment and staff development, all aimed at improving productivity in the polytechnic system.

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has launched a digital payment platform, Paytogeda CampusPay, to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in student union financial management across polytechnic campuses nationwide.

The platform was unveiled at an event attended by student leaders, stakeholders and technology partners in Ibadan on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch, Senate President of NAPS, Ayomide Oyewumi, described the initiative as a major step toward modernising student governance and strengthening trust in campus financial administration.

Oyewumi said the platform would ensure that student union transactions become traceable and verifiable, thereby addressing long-standing concerns about financial mismanagement within campus leadership.

“The digital solution marks the beginning of a new era in student union administration where transparency is no longer optional and accountability is no longer negotiable,” he said.

He explained that the platform would enable secure processing of union dues, levies and other financial contributions, while allowing student leaders to generate financial reports instantly.

According to him, beyond union payments, the platform can also be used for student registrations, departmental fees, event ticketing and other daily campus transactions.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Paytogeda CampusPay, Aderogba Odepode, described the platform as a student-focused innovation aimed at simplifying financial coordination and reducing disputes.

Odepode said the system ensures that all financial contributions are visible and properly tracked, with payouts subject to agreed approvals to promote transparency and operational efficiency.

He commended NAPS for partnering on the initiative, noting that the platform represents a step toward adopting global best practices in institutional financial governance.

Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the adoption of digital payment systems would strengthen accountability, improve financial credibility and support the development of smart campuses across polytechnics in the country.

The Federal Government has approved a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff of polytechnics following the signing of a new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

The agreement, signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and ASUP, also approved the retirement age of Chief Lecturers at 70 years and introduced several new allowances and policy reforms aimed at improving staff welfare and strengthening the polytechnic system.

Details of the agreement indicated that the 40 per cent salary increase approved for all academic staff would be non-taxable.

The pact further stated that the new retirement age of 70 years for Chief Lecturers would take full effect upon gazetting by relevant authorities.

Under the new arrangement, responsibility allowances were also approved for academic administrators. Deputy Rectors and Deputy Librarians are to receive ₦588,000 annually, Deans ₦420,000, Deputy Deans and Directors ₦336,000, Heads of Departments ₦210,000, while Heads of Units and other designated officers would receive ₦105,000 annually.

The agreement also approved honoraria for external examiners, pegged at ₦84,000 for supervising between zero and 50 students, and ₦112,000 for student numbers above 50. External assessment of promotion papers for Principal and Chief Lecturers was fixed at ₦200,000 per assessor.

In addition, question paper moderation allowances were set at ₦50,000 for classes of one to 50 students and ₦80,000 for classes exceeding 50 students.

The pact also introduced excess workload payments capped at a maximum of 20 hours per month, with Senior Lecturers, Principal Lecturers and Chief Lecturers to receive ₦3,500 per hour, while Lecturer I and below would earn ₦2,000 per hour.

Provision was also made for postgraduate scholars, with a one-off book allowance approved at ₦450,000 for MSc students in science-related fields and ₦600,000 for PhD students, while non-science postgraduate scholars would receive ₦350,000 for MSc and ₦500,000 for PhD programmes.

The agreement further addressed long-standing structural issues within the polytechnic system, including the removal of the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and degree holders.

It stated that the National Council on Establishment would expedite actions towards abolishing the dichotomy, while government would conclude arrangements to implement the dual mandate structure allowing polytechnics to award both National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.

The pact also approved the introduction of postgraduate programmes, including M.Tech and Ph.D degrees, in polytechnics, while the Federal Ministry of Education was mandated to fast-track legislative processes on the dual mandate bill before the National Assembly.

On staff welfare, the agreement replaced the existing peculiar allowance of seven per cent with a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) fixed at 40 per cent of CONPCASS.

It also provided for industrial exposure opportunities, allowing academic staff in relevant fields to undertake practical industry placements for a minimum of one year.

The policy directives contained in the agreement mandated all states to domesticate the 2019 Polytechnic Act and ensure effective functioning of Budget Monitoring Committees for implementing institutional needs assessments.

Other governance directives include enforcing maximum tenure limits for governing councils, setting minimum qualification requirements of HND or BSc for external council members, and fast-tracking the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission.

The agreement further stipulated that whenever there is a general increase in public sector salaries and allowances, the remuneration of polytechnic academic staff would be correspondingly adjusted.

It also provided that the agreement would be reviewed every three years.

According to the document, the agreement takes effect from Jan. 1, 2026.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has rejected the revised schemes of service for Nigerian polytechnics prepared by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), citing alleged discrimination against non-teaching staff.

The union’s National President, Mr Philip Ogunsipe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, following a recent stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja. According to him, SSANIP’s position was formally presented in a minority report submitted to the Minister of Education, Dr Moruf Alausa.

Ogunsipe said the association opposed the revised scheme because it introduced what it described as sharp disparities between teaching and non-teaching staff at entry levels, a development the union warned could undermine equity and industrial harmony in the polytechnic system.

He noted that the new scheme would hinder career progression for non-teaching staff, particularly those with first degrees, by preventing them from advancing to CONTEDISS 15, which is equivalent to Grade Level 17 in the public service.

The SSANIP president further alleged that documentary evidence from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission confirming the existence of the CONTEDISS 15 salary structure, as well as supporting documents from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, were ignored during deliberations at the meeting.

Ogunsipe also criticised comments reportedly attributed to the Chairman of the Committee of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology of Nigeria, suggesting that rectors and some non-teaching staff should not retire on the same grade levels.

He described such remarks as demeaning, elitist and discriminatory, adding that they were inconsistent with established public service rules.

With the submission of the minority report, Ogunsipe said the association had passed a vote of no confidence in the NBTE, accusing the agency of persistent bias and disregard for extant public service regulations in the preparation of the revised scheme.

The union appealed to the Minister of Education to objectively review its protest in the interest of fairness, equity and industrial peace, expressing confidence in the minister’s capacity to address the matter dispassionately.

SSANIP also warned against the decision taken at the stakeholders’ meeting to exclude the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation from the preparation and approval of schemes of service, describing the move as counterproductive.

The association stressed that adopting its position would ensure that benefits enjoyed by staff in universities and colleges of education are not denied to their counterparts in polytechnics.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has decried the Federal Government’s continued delay in paying outstanding promotion arrears and other entitlements owed to non-academic staff in polytechnics across the country.

This was disclosed by the National President of SSANIP, Mr. Philip Ogunsipe, during the union’s 78th General Executive Council meeting held at the Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House, on Thursday in Abuja.

Ogunsipe said the union remained concerned about what it described as government’s “persistent neglect” of critical welfare issues affecting polytechnic workers.

He listed the arrears to include promotion arrears, 25/35 per cent salary review arrears, wage award arrears, and incomplete implementation of the new national minimum wage.

He also criticised the delay in releasing the new Schemes and Conditions of Service for the polytechnic sector and the unresolved renegotiation of the 2010 Agreement, despite “repeated assurances” by government officials.

“Similarly, we lament the non-release of the 2023 NEEDS Assessment Funds meant for infrastructural development in polytechnics,” he added.

The SSANIP president condemned what he termed the unilateral submission of the reviewed Schemes of Service by the National Board for Technical Education to the Federal Ministry of Education, describing it as a deviation from agreed procedures and a breach of trust.

Ogunsipe appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in addressing the grievances of non-academic staff in polytechnics, warning that continued inaction could trigger industrial unrest within the sector.

Also speaking, SSANIP National Secretary, Mr. Nura Gaya, urged the Federal Government to act decisively on the lingering challenges, while encouraging workers to remain committed to their duties.

Similarly, the National Trustee of the union, Mr. Godwin Ikhide, advised polytechnic workers to sustain optimal performance and called for unity among labour unions in pursuing collective goals.

SSANIP is seeking improved welfare and working conditions for its members, including immediate payment of outstanding arrears, release of new Schemes and Conditions of Service, and completion of the 2010 Agreement renegotiation.

The union reiterated that continued neglect of its demands may result in industrial action if urgent steps are not taken by the Federal Government.

The National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, has introduced a Mandatory Skills Qualification, MSQ, as a graduation requirement for all newly reviewed National Diploma, ND, and Higher National Diploma, HND, curricula.

This is as the board says the introduction is in line with global trends, especially as skill acquisition is now central to the training of young Nigerians in polytechnics.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, by Fatimah Abubakar, the board’s Head of Media.

Mrs Abubakar explained that diploma holders would now graduate with a National Skills Qualification, NSQ, or its equivalent, as an additional certification.

According to her, this means the MSQ is now a requirement for all diploma programmes and must be attained before graduation.

She also explained that the NSQ was a certification system designed to assess and recognise the skills and competencies of individuals in various fields.

According to her, it focuses on vocational skills and is typically obtained through vocational training programmes, apprenticeships, and assessments conducted by approved skill assessment bodies.

“NSQ aims to bridge the gap between formal education and industry needs by providing individuals with practical skills relevant to the job market.

“The dual certification of obtaining both an NSQ and an ND in Nigeria offers several benefits, including a comprehensive skill set, increased employability, versatility, professional recognition, and career progression”, she said.

The NBTE head of media further said that the dual certification opens doors to career advancement opportunities as well as providing a strong foundation for upward mobility and career growth.

”The dual certification offers a competitive edge in the job market, enhances career prospects, and equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their chosen fields.

”This dual certification is expected to significantly enhance employability. However, NBTE is aware of the limited skills training facilities in our polytechnics and is therefore allowing a phased introduction.

”The guideline provides polytechnic administrators with methods for implementing this new provision.

“Quality assurance is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes”, she noted.

She added that assessors would play vital role in this process, through evaluating the quality of education and training provided in various technical and vocational fields.

According to her, their role will include assessing standards, learning outcomes, and the overall performance of Skills Development Centres (SDCs) in polytechnics and other TVET institutions.

“Under the MSQ, HND level students who have acquired NSQ at the ND level can enroll in Quality Assurance Assessor (QAA) training as an alternative to another NSQ.

“The QAA certificate will be valuable in the workplace, as many industries require on-the-job training,” she said.

She noted that Nigeria’s technical manpower situation was characterised by several challenges, including skill shortages, a mismatch between industry needs and training, and a lack of synergy between industry, government agencies, and TVET institutions.

(NAN)