ASUP Demands Action on Allowance to Avoid Polytechnic Shutdown

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Ogun State government, warning of a total shutdown of academic activities in state-owned polytechnics if their demands are not met. Comrade Adeyemi Kolawole, the ASUP Chairman of the Ogun State Polytechnic School of Health and Allied Sciences, stated that the immediate implementation and domestic payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) is central to their agitation.

He highlighted the inadequate monthly subvention of ₦5 million to some institutions for over ten years, which fails to meet operational costs. Additionally, the union expressed concerns over the government's lack of commitment to pension funding and the inconsistent distribution of palliative support to workers.

Kolawole emphasized the need for greater investment and policy attention in the polytechnic sector, which plays a crucial role in providing tertiary education in Ogun State, especially given the limited number of state-owned universities.