The management of the Federal Polytechnic Bida has deployed soldiers to supervise the ongoing semester examinations following an indefinite strike action embarked upon by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).The strike, which began on Monday, September 15, was declared over the non-payment of 18 months’ responsibility allowance owed to academic staff. The union had directed its members to withdraw from all academic duties, including the supervision of examinations.
Speaking on the development, ASUP Chairman in Bida, Comrade Kolo Joshua, said the strike became necessary after several appeals and engagements with management failed to yield results.
He maintained that the examinations should not hold until lecturers’ demands were met, accusing the school authorities of neglecting staff welfare.In response, the polytechnic management announced the suspension of ASUP’s activities within the institution.
In a statement signed by the Registrar, Hussaini Mutammad Enagi, the school cited security concerns and alleged plans to disrupt the examination process as reasons for the suspension.To ensure the smooth conduct of the exams, soldiers were reportedly deployed to examination venues.
A staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the soldiers were brought in to protect students and non-striking staff from possible harassment.However, the school’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Abubakar Dzukogi, denied the presence of soldiers, insisting that examinations were being conducted peacefully and without military involvement.
The development has sparked controversy, with stakeholders raising concerns over the credibility of examinations conducted without the involvement of striking lecturers and under heavy security presence.Students, meanwhile, remain uncertain about the long-term impact of the standoff on their academic future, as tensions between management and ASUP continue to escalate.
Sunday Buna Ibrahim is a seasoned journalist with Daily Frontier (dailyfrontier.com.ng), where he reports on security, conflicts, and humanitarian issues across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, particularly Plateau and Benue States. He also serves as a News Producer at Vision FM Radio in Abuja. Prior to joining Daily Frontier, he worked with Radio Nigeria, Fombina FM Yola in Adamawa State between 2019 and 2020.
