TENSION escalated on Monday at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, as soldiers were reportedly deployed to the institution to secure examination venues amid an indefinite strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).
News Point Nigeria reports that the union, led by Comrade Kolo Joshua, had on September 15 directed its members to boycott semester examinations in protest over 18 months of unpaid excess workload allowances, accusing the management of neglecting its welfare obligations.
According to sources on campus, the semester examinations commenced as scheduled on Monday despite the strike. However, the management allegedly brought in soldiers to ensure that the exams were not disrupted by striking lecturers.
“The polytechnic started examinations today, and while some staff volunteered to participate, the union had threatened to stop the process. That was why management brought in soldiers to protect students and staff,” a staff member told Daily Trust on condition of anonymity.
This development came barely two days after the Registrar of the institution, Hussaini Muhammad Enagi, issued a circular suspending ASUP’s activities on campus, citing potential security risks posed by the union’s action.
Reacting to the development, ASUP Chairman Kolo Joshua urged members to stay away from the campus “for the safety of lives and property,” maintaining that the core issues of the industrial action had not been addressed.
“Our members have been patient for far too long. These allowances span 18 months under the current rector and 36 months under the previous administration.
“It has caused serious hardship and demoralised lecturers. Instead of resolving the issue, management is intimidating us with queries and threats,” Joshua alleged.
He condemned the alleged militarisation of the campus, warning that it could worsen tensions between staff and management.
In a swift rebuttal, the institution’s Information Officer, Mallam Abubakar Dzukogi, denied that soldiers were deployed to examination halls.
“This is a civil matter. I personally went round the examination centres and did not see soldiers. Management only ensured that the examination went ahead despite the strike. Some directors of the institution volunteered to supervise the exams,” Dzukogi explained.
The ongoing face-off has raised fears of a prolonged disruption to the academic calendar, with students caught in the middle of the dispute.
