The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has written to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, regarding the dismissal of five rectors in federal polytechnics by the National Industrial Court in Abuja. The union previously reported that the court ordered the removal of these rectors, who had been appointed by the federal government.
Justice Obaseki Osaghae ruled that the appointments of Dr Terlumun Utser (Federal Polytechnic, Wannune), Prof Edwin Onyeneje (Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo), Prof Edward Okey (Federal Polytechnic, Ugep), Dr Zakari Ya’u (Federal Polytechnic, Shendam), and Prof Garba Ngala (Federal Polytechnic, Mungonu) were not made in accordance with the law. The Federal Polytechnics Amendment Act 2019 requires that a rector be a Chief Lecturer with at least five years of experience in a Nigerian polytechnic.
In a letter dated 24 March 2023, ASUP’s national president, Anderson Ezeibe, wrote to Minister Adamu: “The suit was instituted by our Union at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division before Her Lordship, Hon. Justice A. Obaseki‑Osaghae, following their purported appointment in 2021 as rectors of the respective federal polytechnics, contrary to the clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act (2019 Amendment). Judgment has been delivered in agreement with our Union’s contention that the persons so appointed do not have the requisite qualification captured in the law, among other declarations of the court. This judgment is viewed by our Union as one with immense benefits for the Nigeria Polytechnic System.”
Ezeibe referenced an earlier consent judgment in another suit (NICN/ABJ/12/2020, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics vs. Attorney General of the Federation and six others), in which the Federal Ministry of Education pledged to ensure compliance with the Federal Polytechnics Act by operators in the sector. Aligning with the court’s decision, ASUP listed its demands: “Immediate derecognition of the affected persons as rectors of the affected polytechnics; a directive to the governing councils of the affected polytechnics to commence the process for appointing new rectors in accordance with the law.”
The minister could not be reached for immediate comment. However, our correspondent found that the National Board for Technical Education, the regulatory body for polytechnics, has acknowledged receipt of the union’s letter.
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