ASUP Calls for Immediate Polytechnic Reform to Solve Nigeria’s Technical Skills Crisis

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s growing technical skills deficit, warning that the situation will persist unless polytechnics are deliberately revitalized, adequately funded, and repositioned as the backbone of national industrial development.

The warning came at the conclusion of ASUP’s 18th National Conference, where delegates engaged in extensive deliberations on the state of the nation, the education sector, and the union itself. In a communique signed by National Publicity Secretary Itoro Ekanemesang, ASUP highlighted that neglecting polytechnic education has undermined productivity, deepened unemployment, and weakened Nigeria’s ability to develop a competitive workforce.

ASUP emphasized that the future of technical and vocational education depends on sustained investment. The union noted that the persistent underfunding of polytechnics is directly linked to the country’s skills deficit, and that revamping the sector is critical to bridging the gap between education and industry.

The union also raised concerns about rising insecurity across Nigeria, stressing that it poses a threat to the safety of educational institutions, research activities, and staff welfare. Delegates additionally decried economic hardship, inflation, and the high cost of living, urging the Federal Government to improve security through better intelligence coordination while introducing measures to alleviate poverty and cushion citizens from economic pressures.

On funding, ASUP accused the government of failing to demonstrate genuine commitment to revitalizing polytechnics. The union demanded the immediate release of approved funds for the second phase of the NEEDS Assessment Intervention, insisting that disbursement must be transparent and equitable. Any deviation, the union warned, would further cripple the sector.

Delegates stressed that neglecting staff welfare could exacerbate industrial tensions within the sub-sector. ASUP also renewed its long-standing call to abolish the HND/BSc dichotomy, praising the National Assembly for reintroducing the bill. The union appealed to President Bola Tinubu to assent to the legislation, emphasizing that ending the dichotomy would promote fairness, strengthen national unity, and modernize Nigeria’s workforce.

On industrial relations, ASUP expressed frustration over delays in concluding the renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FGN Agreement. Delegates highlighted that reforms in policy frameworks, supervision, funding, and staff welfare are long overdue. Administrative delays, including the slow reconstitution of Governing Councils and the stalled appointment of principal officers in several institutions, were also criticized for undermining governance and institutional stability.

The union condemned delays in releasing the revised Scheme of Service, noting its negative impact on staff morale and institutional growth. ASUP further opposed moves to outsource quality assurance functions of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to private entities, arguing that this threatens the credibility and autonomy of polytechnics. According to the union, quality assurance must remain the responsibility of public institutions rather than profit-driven organizations.

ASUP also warned against the indiscriminate conversion of polytechnics into universities, cautioning that the trend distorts Nigeria’s technical education framework and weakens skills development. The union reiterated its call for a dual-mandate structure that allows polytechnics to offer degree programs while retaining their core technological education mission.