SSANIP Rejects Reviewed Schemes of Service for Polytechnics, Issues Minority Report
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has formally rejected the recently reviewed schemes of service for Nigerian polytechnics, which were prepared by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). This decision was communicated through a minority report addressed to the Minister of Education, following a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja. The association expressed strong dissatisfaction with the proposed changes, highlighting significant concerns over equity and fairness in the treatment of polytechnic staff.
Disparities and Discrimination in the Reviewed Schemes
In the minority report, signed by its National President, Comrade Philip Adebanjo Ogunsipe, SSANIP outlined that the reviewed schemes introduce wide disparities between teaching and non-teaching staff. Specifically, the association pointed out that the schemes create sharp differences at the entry points of employment, which could disadvantage non-teaching personnel. Ogunsipe emphasized that these changes would deny non-teaching staff career progression by preventing those holding first degrees from advancing to CONTEDISS 15, which is equivalent to GL 17 in the salary structure.
SSANIP raised alarms over the disregard for documentary evidence during the stakeholders’ meeting. According to the association, records from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission confirming the existence of the CONTEDISS 15 salary structure, along with similar documents from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, were ignored despite their relevance. This omission, SSANIP argued, undermines the credibility of the review process and highlights a persistent bias in the NBTE's approach.
Criticism of Elitist Remarks and Vote of No Confidence
The National President also criticized comments made by the Chairman of the Committee of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology of Nigeria (COHEADS). The chairman reportedly stated that rectors and a section of non-teaching staff cannot occupy the same grades upon retirement. Ogunsipe described these remarks as demeaning, elitist, discriminatory, and contradictory to established public service rules. Such statements, he noted, reflect a broader issue of bias within the NBTE's framework.
In light of these concerns, SSANIP passed a vote of no confidence on the NBTE's ability to provide a fair, balanced, and acceptable scheme of service for polytechnics in Nigeria. The association cited the persistent bias and disregard for extant public service regulations as key reasons for this stance. Through the minority report, SSANIP urged the Minister of Education to review their protest letter with total objectivity, emphasizing the importance of equity, industrial harmony, and adherence to established norms.
Appeal for Fairness and Inclusion
SSANIP expressed strong belief in the minister's leadership, describing him as a dispassionate public servant who can address these issues impartially. The association stressed that considering SSANIP's position is crucial to ensure that polytechnic staff are not denied the career rights enjoyed by their counterparts in universities and colleges of education. This appeal underscores the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to staff welfare in Nigeria's polytechnic system.
Additionally, SSANIP rejected the decision taken at the stakeholders’ meeting to exclude the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation from preparing and approving the schemes of service. The association noted that this office is the only federal agency mandated with such responsibility, and its exclusion could lead to further irregularities and lack of oversight in the implementation of these schemes.
Overall, SSANIP's minority report serves as a critical call to action for the Education Ministry to revisit the reviewed schemes, address the highlighted disparities, and ensure that all polytechnic staff receive fair treatment and opportunities for career advancement in line with public service regulations.
