The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has restated its resolve to embark on a nationwide strike, beginning from December 2, 2024.

Addressing journalists after the union’s 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, ASUP President Kpanja Shammah, said several efforts to get the government to address the contentious issues have failed.

He outlined several grievances, including alleged violations of the Federal Polytechnic Act (amended 2019), mismanagement in the appointment of key officials, and non-fulfillment of government promises.

Shammah also cited instances of irregularities in the appointment of rectors, including the reappointment of Deputy Rectors who had exceeded their statutory six-month acting tenure. He alleged that such actions violate the law, which mandates adherence to due process in appointments.

The union president also criticized the government for failing to release the 2023 Needs Assessment Intervention Funds, which are critical for infrastructure development in polytechnics.

He further expressed dissatisfaction over the non-payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, and academic allowances. The union also decried the lack of implementation of the 35%-25% salary review for state polytechnic staff.

Shammah accused government-aligned individuals of meddling in its operations, including seizing union properties, withholding union dues, and intimidating officials.

The ASUP president highlighted several cases where rectors were appointed without following the stipulated processes, including the controversial appointments in Federal Polytechnics in Damaturu, Nasarawa, and other institutions.

“We have done all within our powers to ensure that the issues were addressed but nothing has been done we have no other option than to shutdown the sector,” he said.

The union appealed for public understanding, noting that their demands are aimed at restoring stability and ensuring a conducive learning environment in the polytechnic sector.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.

The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.

“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.

“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.

“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.

The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”

In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.

“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”

NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’d Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, address the hardship, especially hunger confronting Nigerians.

The student association declared that economic deprivation is killing the people.

The NANS Clerk of the Senate, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, madd the call ib a statement released in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Odunayo lamented that the current administration has forced Nigerians to endure needless poverty and hunger.

According to the statement, the Tinubu-led government’s simultaneous elimination of fuel subsidies and floating of the national currency has further sunk Nigerians into economic despair, increased hunger and hiking the cost of living for millions of residents.

Odunayo acknowledged that some students have benefited from the student loan program implemented by Tinubu’s administration, but he called for a complete economic reform so that Nigerians can experience the good governance that the President has promised.

The statements reads, “There is an urgent need by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put measures in place to arrest hunger, poverty, impoverishment going on in the country.

“Nigerians are seriously groaning under the heavy burden of the present parlous economic situation. The nation has not had it this bad.

“The dual swords of Damocles of fuel subsidy removal and float of naira have stabbed Nigerians at their hearts.

“Many families can no longer feed even once in a day, let alone three times a day. Free falls of our currency against the dollars and other international currencies have capped the sufferings of Nigerians,

“As representatives of the Nigerian students, we are making a passionate call on the President to tailor and rev up his economic policies to provide short term, medium term and long term reliefs for Nigerians.

“Things need to improve as many Nigerians are finding it difficult to survive.”