Polytechnic Workers Threaten Indefinite Strike, Set November 25 for Nationwide Protest

 

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has threatened an indefinite nationwide strike and mass protest over the Federal and State Governments’ failure to pay outstanding transport allowances and implement key provisions of the 2026 renegotiated agreement.

The union also declared a three-day warning strike scheduled for November 16 to 18, 2026, warning that failure by the relevant authorities to address its demands could trigger a prolonged industrial action.

The decision was reached at a meeting of the union’s General Executive Council (GEC) held on Wednesday, November 11, following deliberations on what it described as persistent delays in implementing the agreement.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Nura Shehu Gaya, SSANIP said it had resumed its earlier suspended ultimatum to the Federal and State Governments, effective November 11.

The union expressed particular concern over the continued non-payment of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Transport Allowance (CONTTA), including outstanding arrears owed to eligible members.

It recalled that the Minister of Education had repeatedly assured stakeholders that funds for the payment had been released and domiciled in the accounts of the various institutions.

According to SSANIP’s South-West Zonal Coordinator and National Vice President, Chief Ayo Bankole, the assurance was reiterated during the unveiling of the 2026 agreement on October 13 and the inauguration of its Implementation and Monitoring Committee on October 14.

However, the union lamented that several weeks after the assurances, many of its members were yet to receive the expected payments.

Bankole also raised concerns over the non-implementation of other provisions of the agreement, particularly the proposed movement of eligible non-teaching staff to CONTEDISS 15.

He said the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) had yet to issue clear implementation guidelines to enable polytechnic managements to uniformly implement the provision.

The union consequently urged the NBTE to communicate the relevant directives to institutions without further delay, stressing that the move would ensure clarity, uniformity and timely implementation of the agreement.

SSANIP said the government would have a final opportunity between November 19 and 24 to resolve the outstanding issues, particularly the payment of CONTTA and implementation of other provisions of the renegotiated agreement.

It warned that failure to achieve meaningful progress within the period would result in an indefinite nationwide strike.

Beyond the planned warning strike, the association announced a nationwide mass protest for Wednesday, November 25, with coordinated convergence points at the NBTE Abuja Liaison Office, Federal Ministry of Education and National Assembly.

The union has directed its zonal coordinators, chapter chairmen and branch executives to commence immediate mobilisation of members ahead of the planned industrial actions.

The South-West zone, under the leadership of Bankole, is expected to coordinate mobilisation and communication among members across the region in collaboration with other national and chapter executives.

SSANIP maintained that the payment of CONTTA and implementation of the 2026 agreement were legitimate entitlements arising from a duly negotiated and signed agreement, insisting that they should not be treated as discretionary benefits.

It expressed disappointment over the apparent gap between official assurances that funds had been released and the failure of eligible beneficiaries to receive the payments.

Despite its planned industrial action, the association said it remained committed to constructive engagement and the promotion of industrial harmony, but warned that repeated assurances without corresponding action were no longer acceptable.

“The time for assurances is over; the time for payment and implementation is now!” the union declared, adding that the responsibility for averting the impending industrial crisis rested with the relevant authorities.” It added