By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025
The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, has suspended the activities of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bida chapter, following the union’s declaration of an indefinite strike.
The suspension, announced on Tuesday by the institution’s Registrar, Hussaini Enagi, came a day after lecturers commenced the industrial action, which disrupted ongoing second-semester examinations.
Enagi, in a statement, said the council’s decision was taken “in view of the rising tension and prevailing negative security reports” on campus. He directed lecturers to comply strictly with the suspension order.
The strike, declared on September 15 by the union’s branch chairman, Kolo Joshua, was over 18 months of unpaid excess workload allowances. Joshua accused the management of neglecting lecturers’ welfare, issuing queries to ASUP executives, and failing to address financial obligations that had spanned two administrations.
He said the indefinite strike, backed by a congress mandate, required members to vacate campus and boycott examinations for safety reasons.
“Our struggle is legitimate, anchored on justice, and protected under relevant labour laws,” Joshua said.
Reacting, the Rector, Dr Baba Haruna, acknowledged the strike notice but cautioned union members to respect the rights of colleagues who chose not to participate.
The Governing Council, however, appealed to ASUP to reconsider its stance in the interest of students.
“While the council recognises the union’s right to strike, it must also acknowledge the rights of members who wish to continue with their duties without intimidation,” Enagi said.
Some students who spoke with The PUNCH expressed frustration over the disruption of their examinations.
In a swift response, ASUP National President, Shammah Kpanja, condemned the suspension of union activities and raised concerns over reports of soldiers supervising examinations.
“We note with displeasure the purported suspension of union activities by the governing council and the embarrassing pictures and videos of soldiers supervising an activity purporting to mean an examination,” Kpanja said, vowing that the national leadership would challenge the council’s decision.
The impasse has deepened the crisis in the polytechnic, which has been grappling with unresolved staff welfare issues for years.
