SSANIP To Shut Down Polytechnics Over New Scheme of Service, HND/BSC Dichotomy

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has raised concerns over the new scheme of service and the lingering dichotomy between HND and BSc holders in the labour market.

The association during its 74th National Executive Council, (NEC) and General Executive Council (GEC) meeting at the Federal Polytechnic Offa on Wednesday 11 December 2024 raised alarm to the Federal Government on grey areas in the new scheme of service that requires amendment in line with general practice.

In his opening address, the National President of SSANIP, Comrade Philip Adebanjo Ogunsipe represented by National Vice President, Comrade Bankole Ayodeji Matthew expressed appreciation to the Management of the Federal Polytechnic Offa led by Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin FNSE for creating enabling environment towards the hosting of the meeting.

The National President noted that the Staff Union has been partner in progress at both national and local levels in the collective drive to move the Polytechnic education forward but will not hesitate to embark on strike within 48 hours if the loopholes in the new scheme of service are not addressed before release.

He said, “…We give them 48 hours if our cases are not taken care of when the scheme of service comes out, we will down tools. The scheme of service is a project of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Registrars, Deputy Registrars and Accounting Cadres get to Contediss 15 but the Polytechnics are on CONTEDISS 14. The Head of Service of the Federation wrote a letter to the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education that the Deputy Registrars and Accounting cadres should be placed on CONTEDISS 15 but to our surprise, some people somewhere don’t want us to get there because they were saying we would be at par with them and they don’t want it to happen. This has been existing for a long time, the Universities, Colleges of Education are already there, just for us to occupy it.”

He therefore acknowledged the effort of the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa and the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje for their collective determination to revamp the Polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Chairman of SSANIP, Federal Polytechnic Offa chapter, Comrade Abdulmajeed Oyinlola welcomed NEC/GEC members to the Federal Polytechnic. Comrade Oyinlola laments wage injustice since the implementation of the new minimum wage by the Federal Government, adding that the meeting is a perfect avenue to engage constructively on the challenges facing members.

According to him, “Dear Comrades, we gather today against the backdrop of worsen economic hardship and dire state of Nigeria’s economy. Workers have been pushed to their limits and the situation has reached an extreme. While we seek answers to questions that the future of work brings, we should also deal with the concerns that exist in contemporary work.

“Our staff still face the indignity of indecent work several months after the new national minimum wage became an official law in Nigeria. I call on all the members to see the struggle against wage injustice and substandard living conditions as your fight…”

Earlier, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru commended SSANIP for its commitment to the noble cause of education. While appreciating the branch chapter of the Union, he enjoined the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics to work together to promote welfare of the members.

“Together we can achieve greatness, let us work together to promote the welfare of our members, to defend the interests of our institutions and to advocate for policies that will benefit the education sector as a whole,” he said.

Giving a goodwill message, The Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress, Kwara State Chapter represented by its secretary, Comrade Isaiah Elachochir acknowledged SSANIP commitment to moving the Union forward. He charged members of SSANIP to focus on unity to foster progress and advance the course of social justice in the workforce.

As contained in a communique issued after the meeting, the council’s resolutions premise on state of the nation, constitution of the renegotiation of 2010 agreement committee, release of 2023 needs assessment fund, funding of State-owned Polytechnics; need to review monthly subvention, immediate implementation and release of 25/35% salary review arrears.

Other resolutions reached include immediate release of promotion arrears, immediate payment of five (5) months wage award to Federal workers, full implementation of new minimum wage and payment of arrears from date of pronouncement, release of Contiss 15 arrears for the lower cadre, review of tetfund sharing formula, usurpation of non-teaching positions and investigation of the activities of IPPIS.