Zaria: The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Zaria has voiced concerns over the salaries of its lecturers, claiming they earn less than National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. This issue has contributed to the ongoing strike by the union.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Usman-Shehu Suleiman, the union’s chairman, highlighted the disparity in earnings during an interview. He stated that the salary of an assistant lecturer stands at N64,400, which is lower than the monthly allowance provided to NYSC members. This pay discrepancy is causing significant concern about the welfare of educators.
The joint staff unions initiated a one-week warning strike on June 16, halting academic activities across both campuses of the institution. The strike stems from unmet demands, including the implementation of the National Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Salary Structure and the 65-year retirement age for non-teaching staff.
Suleiman, who also chairs the Joint Action Committee of the staff unions, pointed out that the unfavorable pay conditions have led to a brain drain, with many lecturers leaving for other institutions such as the Federal University of Transportation Daura, Federal Polytechnic Gombe, and Kaduna State University. He recounted an instance where a lecturer, despite being sponsored by the institution to acquire advanced degrees, chose to leave due to the unsatisfactory conditions.
The chairman noted that the lecturer in question was bound by a financial agreement with the institution, requiring him to repay N21 million to NUBA Polytechnic upon departure. Suleiman described the broader implications of the situation as a negative sign for the education sector.
Abubakar Aliyu-Shika, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnic (SSANIP) at NUBA Polytechnic, echoed similar concerns. He revealed that the union has been pushing for salary improvements since 2009, with unfulfilled agreements dating back to 2010 and 2014. Governor Uba Sani had promised in December 2024 that the new salary structure would be implemented by the first quarter of 2025, a promise yet to be realized.
Aliyu-Shika mentioned that despite the government’s claim of insufficient funds, the recruitment of 500 new staff members suggests an improved financial situation, prompting the union to renew its demands for the implementation of the new salary structure.
