The union representing non-academic staff in Nigeria’s polytechnics has raised the alarm — and warned that staff may “down tools” nationwide. According to the statement, several factors have driven the decision, including unpaid promotion and salary-review arrears, failure to implement new service schemes, deteriorating welfare conditions, and rising insecurity across campuses.
The warning comes after repeated assurances from government authorities and earlier agreements that remain unfulfilled. SSANIP argues that despite prior negotiations, the backlog of owed entitlements and unresolved systemic issues persist — pushing members toward industrial action if nothing changes soon.
Behind the Threat: Key Grievances at the Root
Several long-standing issues underpin SSANIP’s decision, including:
- Outstanding arrears — Many polytechnic staff say they are owed promotion arrears, backlog from previous salary revisions (25 %/35 % increases), wage awards, and adjustments connected to the national minimum wage.
- Non-implementation of updated scheme of service — The union has repeatedly asked for a revised career-progression framework (e.g. migration to appropriate salary/consolidation scales), but efforts so far have yielded little tangible result.
- Welfare and working-condition failures — Beyond pay, many non-academic workers are concerned about poor institutional support, delayed entitlements, and insufficient recognition of their roles.
- Insecurity and neglect of polytechnic system — SSANIP also lamented growing security concerns and what it describes as systemic neglect by authorities, which together undermine morale and operational effectiveness of polytechnics nationwide.
What This Means: Impact on Workers, Students & the Polytechnic Sector
If unresolved, the situation could trigger serious disruption across the polytechnic system:
- Risk of nationwide shutdown — With a potential strike or work stoppage, teaching and non-teaching activities at many polytechnics may be suspended, affecting thousands of students and staff.
- Further staff demoralisation and attrition — Continuous delays in pay, benefits and career progression could push staff to leave the system altogether, worsening staffing shortages.
- Disruption to education delivery — Students could face delays in lectures, exams, or graduation, damaging trust in polytechnic institutions.
- Erosion of institutional credibility — Repeated strikes and unrest may undermine public confidence in polytechnics, and discourage prospective students from enrolling.
What SSANIP Wants: Clear Demands for Immediate Action
According to the union’s latest communique, they expect:
- Payment of all outstanding arrears — promotion, salary reviews, wage awards, and adjustments tied to the national minimum wage.
- Full implementation of the updated scheme of service for polytechnic non-teaching staff, to reflect fair career progression and pay scale equivalence with other tertiary institutions.
- Improved welfare and working conditions, with attention to security, institutional support, and recognition of staff roles in maintaining polytechnic operations.
The union has called on the government — particularly relevant ministries and oversight agencies — to address these demands without further delay, warning that continued neglect may force them to halt work entirely.
Why This Matters: Broader Implications for Education and National Development
Polytechnics play a critical role in Nigeria’s tertiary-education landscape, especially in producing technical and vocational manpower needed for national development. If unrest spreads across polytechnic campuses, the consequences could be far-reaching:
- Loss of skills pipeline: Interruptions in training, graduations, and staffing could hamper the inflow of skilled technicians and technologists — needed in sectors from manufacturing to infrastructure.
- Widening inequality in education access: Many polytechnic students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Instability may force them out, limiting opportunities for upward mobility.
- Pressure on universities and other institutions: Students unable to complete polytechnic programmes may flood other tertiary institutions, straining capacity and quality.
- Economic ripple effects: Delays in manpower supply affect industries reliant on technical skills — undermining growth and investment plans.
