25th September, 2023

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: APPROVAL OF 35% AND 25% WAGE REVIEW FOR ACADEMIC STAFF IN NIGERIA’S
POLYTECHNICS

Our Union has undertaken a review of the recent approval and release of a new wage
structure for Nigeria’s Polytechnics as communicated through the National Salaries
Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Following the review process by our Union’s
team, it has become pertinent to put forward the Union’s position on this recent
development for the purposes of clarity.

1. The new salary structure indeed reflects an increase of 35% for Chief Lecturers;
and 25% for other layers of staff in the CONPCASS salary structure.
2. This increase is a slight adjustment on the offer of 35% and 23.5% made by the
government in the process of the renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement
in July, 2022. The offer fell short of our Union’s demands during the renegotiation
process.
3. While the Union was considering the offer last year with a view to a response, the
renegotiation process thereafter went into an unwelcome hiatus as the
government team has not resumed the process of renegotiation since then.
4. While it is instructive to underline our Union’s acknowledgement of the approved
adjustment in our salaries as positive, we call on the government to ensure
immediate implementation and release of the arrears.
5. It is equally important to note that the offer was made by the government before
the latest and current economic downturn occasioned by the removal of subsidy
on premium motor spirit in May, 2023.
6. It therefore goes without saying that the positives expected from this move by the
government has already been severely undermined by the current marketplace
realities and we expect the government to note this.
7. In view of the above, we are renewing our call for a conclusion of the ASUP/FGN
2010 agreement renegotiation which will usher in an improved and acceptable

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 wage review reflective of the current economic realities through collective
bargaining.
8. A return to the renegotiation table will equally address other issues contained in
the ASUP charter of demands including post service conditions of our members,
sustainable funding for the sector, appropriate certification for products of
Nigeria’s polytechnics, legal and policy framework reviews etc; as well as
implementation mechanisms that will be all encompassing and across institutions
owned by Federal and State governments.
9. Government is assured of our Union’s readiness to engage in any such sincere and
productive collective bargaining process which will improve the technical and
vocational education landscape in the country

Anderson U. Ezeibe
(President)