Ogun ASUP: Poly Lecturers Strike Threat Over Allowance Dispute

• Ogun State polytechnic lecturers are threatening a strike over unpaid allowances and inadequate funding.
• The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the state government a 15-day ultimatum, with six days remaining as of November 5, 2026.
• Key demands include the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Earned Academic Allowance from a 2026 agreement.
• ASUP also protests the N5 million monthly subvention, unchanged for over a decade, for some state polytechnics, demanding a N100 million subvention.
• Previous appeals to the Ogun State Government regarding these issues have not yielded satisfactory commitments.

The union's public appeal for immediate and decisive action from the Ogun State Government underscores the urgency of averting what they describe as an 'avoidable industrial crisis.'

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Ogun State has issued a stark warning, indicating that state-owned polytechnics face an imminent industrial crisis. This declaration comes as only six days remain on a 15-day ultimatum initially issued by ASUP's national leadership. The union is urgently calling upon Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration to address a series of outstanding demands. A central point of contention in this Ogun polytechnic allowance dispute is the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). These specific allowances are integral components of a broader agreement reached in 2026 between the Federal Government and ASUP.

Beyond the allowance dispute, ASUP has also highlighted a severe Ogun State polytechnic funding crisis, lamenting the inadequate financial support for the state's educational institutions. They specifically pointed out that the monthly subvention provided to some of the polytechnics has remained at a paltry N5 million for over a decade, a sum deemed grossly insufficient given current economic realities. The union is also demanding a N100 million subvention. These concerns were publicly reiterated during a joint press briefing held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the ASUP Secretariat located within Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, emphasizing the gravity of the potential Ogun poly lecturers strike threat.

The current escalation towards an ASUP Ogun State industrial action is rooted in a resolution adopted during the 118th National Executive Council meeting of ASUP, which convened in Abuja on October 22. This crucial meeting set in motion the 15-day ultimatum, which officially commenced on October 27. During the recent press briefing, Comrade Kolawole Adeyemi, representing the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, formally presented the union's position. He underscored that ASUP's national leadership had previously engaged the state government, formally communicating their demands for the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance Ogun and Earned Academic Allowance Ogun components, as stipulated in the 2026 Federal Government-ASUP agreement.

Despite these prior efforts, including two distinct letters from ASUP's national leadership to the Ogun State Government dated August 5, 2026, and September 21, 2026, appealing for the implementation of these vital welfare provisions, the union has reported a lack of satisfactory commitment. The union expressed profound disappointment that, despite repeated engagements, no tangible evidence of progress or commitment towards fulfilling these obligations has been received. This procedural history highlights the union's sustained attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue before resorting to the current strike threat.

The looming Ogun poly lecturers strike threat carries significant implications for the stability and quality of polytechnic education across Ogun State. Should the ASUP Ogun State industrial action proceed, it would inevitably disrupt academic calendars and educational services for thousands of students. The union's concerns extend beyond immediate welfare, encompassing a critical Ogun State polytechnic funding crisis that has seen the monthly subvention for some of the six state-owned polytechnics stagnate at N5 million for over a decade. This amount is considered woefully inadequate to sustain effective administration, meet rising operational costs, and support the increasing responsibilities of these institutions in the current economic climate.

The union's public appeal for immediate and decisive action from the Ogun State Government underscores the urgency of averting what they describe as an 'avoidable industrial crisis.' Failure to address these demands, particularly the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance Ogun and Earned Academic Allowance Ogun, could not only lead to widespread educational disruption but also signal a deeper systemic issue regarding government commitment to tertiary education funding and staff welfare. The situation calls for a swift resolution to prevent long-term damage to the state's polytechnic sector and its academic reputation.

Lawyers advising educational institutions or the Ogun State government should monitor this developing industrial dispute closely. A potential strike by polytechnic lecturers could trigger labor law implications, including issues around essential services, collective bargaining agreement compliance, and potential litigation arising from disruption of educational services or non-payment of allowances. Compliance officers should assess the risk of service interruption and reputational damage.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH.