Soldiers mobilized at Federal Polytechnic Bida as lecturers threaten exam disruption

Tensions escalated on Monday at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida in Niger State, where military personnel were deployed to safeguard ongoing examinations, which was as a result of threats received from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) to disrupt the examination process. The union contends with unpaid workload allowances stretching back over 18 months.

The conflict at the institution intensified following ASUP’s announcement on September 15 of an open-ended strike protesting prolonged non-payment of additional workload allowances. Led by Comrade Kolo Joshua, the union instructed members to boycott the semester exams and cautioned against participating in their supervision.

This development came shortly after the Registrar, Hussaini Muhammad Enagi, issued a circular on September 13 suspending all ASUP-related activities on campus due to concerns over security. Joshua urged union members to clear the campus for their own protection, expressing that the core issues surrounding unpaid dues remain unresolved. He also accused campus leadership of intimidation tactics, including issuing formal inquiries to union officials rather than settling financial liabilities.

The outstanding allowances, spanning 18 months under the current rector’s tenure and 36 months under the previous regime according to Joshua, have caused hardship and diminished staff morale.

Meanwhile, Mallam Abubakar Dzukogi, the polytechnic’s Information Officer, refuted claims that soldiers supervised the exams, clarifying that only certain directors were involved after lecturers withdrew their services.

This is an internal institutional issue. I visited the exam centers and saw no soldiers. The presence of security personnel is solely to protect those wishing to carry out their duties amid the tensions. Management merely ensured the exams proceeded peacefully despite the strike – Dzukogi

The deadlock between ASUP and the institution’s administration presents a serious threat to the academic calendar, raising concerns about potential delays or disruptions.

The future of the academic session hangs in the balance, as the dispute between the union and school authorities persists. Students hope for a swift resolution to prevent further disruption and ensure the smooth continuation of their examinations.