The Non-Teaching Staff Union of Polytechnics (NOTSUP) has given the Federal Government 14 days to resolve outstanding issues concerning workers’ allowances, unpaid entitlements and the delayed implementation of agreements reached with the union.
The union warned that it could consider further industrial action if the government fails to address its demands within the stipulated period. It said the deadline would begin when the relevant authorities receive its formal demand.
NOTSUP, led by its National President, Comrade Shaba Nakorji, expressed concern over what it described as persistent delays in fulfilling commitments made to non-teaching staff in Nigeria’s polytechnics.
The union said the delays had raised questions about the implementation of agreements reached through negotiations between workers’ representatives and the government. It maintained that agreements reached through collective bargaining should be honoured within a reasonable period rather than left unresolved after negotiations have ended.
In a communiqué addressing the outstanding issues, NOTSUP identified the non-issuance of implementation circulars, delayed payments and the failure to implement agreed provisions as matters requiring urgent government intervention.
The union specifically called on the Federal Ministry of Education to release all outstanding implementation circulars, including the one relating to the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA).
It also demanded the full implementation of applicable agreements reached with the government and the immediate settlement of verified allowances, entitlements and arrears owed to its members across the country’s polytechnic system.
According to the union, issuing the necessary circulars would provide the administrative direction required to implement the relevant agreements and ensure that eligible workers receive the benefits due to them.
NOTSUP further asked the ministry to provide a clear timeline for resolving the outstanding matters.
It said workers needed an official update on the status of pending commitments instead of continued uncertainty over when the agreements would take effect.
The union also requested urgent consultations with the relevant authorities to establish a practical way forward and prevent the dispute from escalating.
Nakorji, who signed the communiqué, said the ultimatum reflected the union’s position on the need for concrete action to resolve issues affecting its members.
The union stressed that the demands were directed at securing the implementation of existing commitments and the payment of outstanding financial obligations.
NOTSUP warned that failure to meet its demands within the 14-day period would leave it with no option but to convene its appropriate organs to consider the next steps.
It said any subsequent action would be taken in accordance with the union’s constitution and applicable labour laws.
Although the union did not announce an immediate strike in the communiqué, its warning indicates that further industrial action remains a possibility if the dispute is not resolved before the deadline expires.
The union, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and social dialogue.
It said it remained interested in maintaining industrial peace but insisted that meaningful progress depended on the government fulfilling its obligations to workers.
NOTSUP also appealed to the Minister of Education to intervene personally in the matter and ensure that the outstanding issues receive the necessary attention.
It said resolving the dispute would help protect workers’ welfare, strengthen collective bargaining and maintain harmonious relations between the government, polytechnic managements and non-teaching staff.
The development comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to address welfare concerns across tertiary institutions, although the implementation of negotiated agreements remains a concern for some unions.
In October, the government announced the release of the Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance (CONTA) to eligible non-academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The payment covered January to August 2026.
The government had also announced the release of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for eligible academic staff covering the same eight-month period.
