FG’s new agreement implementation delay sparks anxiety among poly lecturers

Polytechnic lecturers across Nigeria are expressing deep concern and anxiety over the Federal Government’s delay in implementing their newly renegotiated agreement.

The historic agreement, which took the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) several years to negotiate, was signed on April 10, 2026.

Aimed at ending long-standing industrial disputes in the nation’s public polytechnics, the deal includes a 40% salary increment, increased funding, a structured Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), and a revised retirement age of 70 years for chief lecturers.

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The document also mandates a review every three years to ensure long-term sustainability.

However, despite the signing of the pact, a lack of immediate financial backing is sparking frustration across both federal and state-owned institutions.

Lecturers in state-owned polytechnics fear their state governments will not domesticate the agreement until the Federal Government takes the lead.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a cross-section of lecturers insisted that implementation should not be delayed any further, given the years spent negotiating.

They argued that because the agreement took effect retroactively on January 1, 2026, the new rates ought to have been reflected in their June salaries.

Reliable sources within ASUP’s leadership, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that members across various chapters are growing restless.

“Yes, we signed the agreement on April 10, but the implementation is stalled,” one source said. “Letters have been flying between government agencies—including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Ministry of Finance—but the process is dragging. This has raised our hopes only to leave us worried. We want these promises to translate into money in our bank accounts.”

Meanwhile, Nigerian Tribune sighted an official letter from the Budget Office of the Federation to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. The follow-up letter, dated June 16, 2026, was signed by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.

Titled “Implementation of the Approved Renewed Remuneration Package for Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education and Other Salary-Related Adjustments in the Federal Public Service,” the letter revealed that the Wages Commission issued an execution circular on May 18, 2026.

The letter read in part: “Consequently, the Budget Office has concluded the computation of cost implications arising from the reviewed remuneration package for ASUP and COEASU members.

“In view of these, I most respectfully request the minister’s kind approval for the release of ₦85,375,777,808, to be charged under the minimum wage and salary-related adjustments component of the 2026 Service-Wide Vote, for immediate payment of the approved reviewed remuneration package… from January to December.”

Despite these administrative steps, union members insist they will not sit idly by.

“Implementation is what we want, not paperwork,” an ASUP source added. “We all know the harsh economic reality in the country, with the cost of living rising daily. We have nowhere else to turn to meet our financial obligations.

“The government must expedite this process immediately.“