Education Minister Resolves Labour Dispute at Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe; Bayelsa Institution to Reopen October 6 After Months-Long Shutdown

The Federal Government has successfully resolved the protracted industrial crisis that led to the closure of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, in Bayelsa State since July 11, fixing a definite date for the institution’s resumption.

The crisis, a “lingering labour dispute” between the institution’s unions and the management, was finally addressed following the intervention of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. The Minister convened a mediatory meeting in Abuja on September 29, which was attended by the leadership of the three major unions the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) alongside the Rector and the Governing Council Chairman.

After exhaustively listening to all parties, Minister Alausa directed the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, to officially resume academic activities on Monday, October 6.

Key to resolving the impasse was the Minister’s directive to the Governing Council to immediately constitute a fresh panel. This panel is mandated to investigate the sundry allegations leveled against the Rector, Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman, by the unions. The investigating body has been given a strict deadline of three weeks to submit its findings.

The industrial action had been fueled by union claims of alleged violations of the Polytechnic Act by the Rector, including his decision to seek legal action against the unions instead of allowing the Governing Council to manage labour disputes as mandated by statute. The workers had previously stated that only the suspension and investigation of the Rector would restore industrial harmony at the institution.

The resolution marks a crucial step in normalizing the academic calendar at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, bringing an end to the nearly three-month-long shutdown and allowing students to finally return to classes.