Lagos, Nigeria – January 22, 2025 – The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has suspended a planned three-day warning strike following a meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The strike, initially scheduled to commence today, was called off after a successful mediation effort.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Board for Technical Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In a statement released by SSANIP National Secretary Nura Gaya, the meeting was described as “characterized by robust engagement,” culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“The demands of SSANIP were unanimously agreed to be legitimate, and all stakeholders present pledged to work towards ensuring a resolution that upholds equity and justice within the Polytechnic system,” Gaya1 stated.
The union had initially planned the strike to protest the alleged career regression of its members within the civil service. However, following the positive outcome of the meeting, SSANIP suspended the strike “forthwith” to allow for the monitoring of developments regarding the ongoing review of schemes of service.
The government, through the MoU, reaffirmed its commitment to addressing SSANIP’s concerns, particularly the rightful career progression of non-teaching staff to CONTEDISS (Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure).
SSANIP expressed gratitude to its members for their solidarity and patience during the dispute. “We commend all members for their vigilance and urge everyone to remain united as we await the implementation of the agreed measures,” the statement concluded.
This resolution averts a potential disruption to academic activities in polytechnics across the country. The successful mediation effort demonstrates a commitment from both the government and the union to finding a mutually agreeable solution that addresses the concerns of polytechnic workers.
