ASUP Threatens Strike as Federal Poly Offa Council Holds Meetings in Lagos

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Tension is mounting at the Federal Polytechnic Offa in Kwara State as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) issues a stern warning to the institution’s Governing Council over its decision to hold meetings outside the school premises.

The union, in a strongly worded statement on Thursday, demanded the immediate cancellation of the ongoing council meeting taking place in Lagos and warned that failure to comply could spark a fresh wave of industrial action.

Dr. Idowu Atilola, Chairman of ASUP at the institution, who signed the statement, accused the Governing Council of repeatedly flouting established protocols and neglecting staff welfare. He noted that the union had previously issued warnings in May, but those were ignored.

“The management has lost all regard for rules and regulations,” Atilola stated. “They have sidelined pressing issues concerning staff welfare and the overall progress of the Polytechnic. Letters from the union have gone unanswered, and our attempts to engage with the council have been deliberately snubbed.”

The union also called out specific members of the Council, including Engr. Kamoru Kadiri and Engr. Waheed Balogun—both former union leaders—for allegedly failing to uphold expected standards. The Registrar was similarly accused of abandoning his neutral role in favor of personal interest.

Atilola described the institution as “a shadow of itself,” blaming the council’s conduct for its dwindling state.

ASUP has now issued a firm ultimatum: cancel the Lagos meeting and issue a formal apology to the Polytechnic community—or risk a total shutdown.

“We will not fold our arms and watch our source of livelihood be destroyed,” the union warned.