Strike by Non-Academic Staff Union Enters Second Week

Tensions ran high at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, as the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) took its demand for a 65-year retirement age to the next level. On Thursday, the union members barricaded all gates leading into the institution, preventing students and lecturers from accessing the campus.

The striking workers held a banner at the gate, urging the state government to "please come and salvage the situation by directing the implementation of 65 years retirement age." The situation was eventually brought under control after the intervention of the chief security officer of the Polytechnic, who ordered the gates to be thrown open.

Despite the efforts to resolve the issue, the strike enters its second week with no resolution in sight. One lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns that the strike was motivated by jealousy towards academic staff who were granted the 65-year retirement age. The lecturer argued that the non-academic staff have gone too far by locking the gates, restricting access to the institution for students and other workers.

In the university system, professors are typically granted a 70-year retirement age, while other academic staff are given 65 years. The additional five years are meant to allow them to engage in research and book writing, contributing to the academic community. The lecturer suggested that if the non-academic staff want to enjoy the same privilege, they should consider changing their status to academic staff and making a meaningful contribution to the academic community through research and publications.

The ongoing strike highlights the ongoing dispute between the Non-Academic Staff Union and the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic management. As the stalemate continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved, and what impact it will have on the institution and its stakeholders.