The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Bayelsa State Polytechnic Chapter, has threatened fresh industrial action over queries issued to some academic staff.
The affected officials include Heads of Department, Directors and Deans. They missed an Academic Board meeting held on September 2, 2026. Management issued the queries on September 3. It accused the officials of missing the meeting without prior notice or explanation. It also described their absence as an act of sabotage against the institution’s academic progress.
However, ASUP rejected the queries. The union said its members acted on a directive from the chapter.
ASUP Demands Withdrawal of Queries
In a letter dated September 4, ASUP demanded the immediate withdrawal of the queries. The letter went to the polytechnic’s Registrar. The chapter Chairman, Dr Oyin-Emi Ogbomah, and General Secretary, Comrade Nemine Tonprebofa Andrew, signed it.
ASUP said the affected officials stayed away because of a union directive. The directive barred members from attending meetings convened or chaired by the retired former Rector.
The union said it does not recognise the retired official as Rector of the institution.
“As a registered and respected trade union representing serving academic staff, ASUP does not recognise a retiree who is a member of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) as Rector of any polytechnic,” the union stated.
ASUP also questioned why a retired former Rector should issue directives to serving academic staff.
“To the best of our knowledge, there is no polytechnic in the Federal Republic of Nigeria where a retired Rector issues directives to serving academic staff,” it said.
Management Defends Queries
Management, however, gave a different account of the incident. According to the queries, the affected staff received notices and reminders about the Academic Board meeting. Despite this, they did not attend.
Management also said the officials did not notify the Registrar’s office about their absence. It added that none of them submitted an excuse before or after the meeting.
The polytechnic therefore described their absence as deliberate. It said the action could affect the institution’s academic activities.
“Your absence is regarded as a deliberate act of sabotage against the academic progress of the Institution,” management stated in the queries.
Management also referred to the payment of staff salaries on September 1. It said the institution had met its salary obligations.
The management further argued that the staff had no reason to miss the meeting. This followed ASUP’s suspension of its ongoing strike. It gave the affected officials 48 hours to explain their absence. Management also warned of possible disciplinary action if they failed to respond.
Union Threatens Further Action
ASUP maintained that its members followed the union’s directive. It therefore rejected management’s position on the queries. The union demanded the withdrawal of all the queries linked to the disputed meeting.
“Consequently, the Union demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all queries issued to our members for declining to attend meetings with the retired former Rector,” ASUP stated.
It also warned that it could escalate the dispute if management refused to withdraw the queries.
“We unequivocally state that ASUP will escalate this matter through appropriate industrial channels should these queries not be withdrawn,” the union warned.
The latest disagreement follows an earlier industrial action by ASUP at the institution. The union had protested the administration of Bayelsa State Polytechnic. It later suspended the strike after intervention from the Bayelsa State Government and the institution’s Visitor, Governor Douye Diri.
ASUP said its immediate priority remains a return to the classroom.
“Our current priority and mandate remain focused on returning to the classroom to teach our students,” the union stated.
However, the latest dispute could trigger another disruption if both sides fail to reach an agreement over the queries.
