Polytechnic workers under the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP) have announced a three-day warning strike, set to begin from Wednesday, January 22 to Friday, January 24, 2025. The workers are protesting what they describe as the marginalization of non-teaching staff and their denial of career progression opportunities.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, dated January 14, 2025, the union’s secretary, Nura Gaya, stated that the warning strike was necessary to emphasize their concerns over the ongoing attempts to deny non-teaching staff their rightful career progression to the peak of their careers under the CONTEDISS 15 scheme, particularly amid the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.

SSANIP has been advocating for equitable career progression policies for both teaching and non-teaching staff. However, the union noted that previous engagements with relevant authorities had yielded little to no results. The union expressed disappointment over what it sees as an attempt to undermine non-teaching staff rights, which it claims directly affects their morale and job satisfaction.

The letter clarified that the proposed strike is a warning and that non-teaching staff’s career progression, if implemented, would not negatively affect the teaching staff, as both categories have distinct salary structures. SSANIP urged the Ministry of Education to take urgent action to address the issue and avoid further escalation. The union also reiterated its openness to constructive dialogue and hopes for an amicable resolution to avoid future disruptions in the polytechnic system.