NAPS Commends Federal Polytechnic Ekowe Rector



*Condemns Unholy Conduct of NASU Local Chapter, 
Calls for Immediate Resumption of Work.

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), with over 28.1 million members across Nigeria and the diaspora, has observed with deep concern the recent developments at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State. In the interest of national stability, academic integrity, and student welfare, we are compelled to make this comprehensive and evidence-based statement to the general public and concerned authorities.

 *COMMENDATION TO THE RECTOR:* 

We wish to commend the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Dr. Agbabiaka Adegoke Lukman, for his exemplary and inclusive leadership style, his fact-finding and reconciliatory efforts, and his unwavering commitment to infrastructure development and academic excellence.

Dr. Lukman’s achievements between May 2022 and June 2025 are not only unprecedented but transformative, especially in the following key areas:

 *Infrastructural Development:* 

 *Completed Projects:* E-Library, School of Earth & Mineral Technology, 250-seat CBT Centre, Security Gatehouses, Polytechnic Clinic Renovation, Goatery, Poultry, Fish Pond, and Polytechnic Perimeter Fence repair.

 *Ongoing Projects:* 75% completion of Executive Hostel, 60–75% renovations of various administrative blocks and hostels, Solar-powered drainage systems, and extensive ICT lab upgrades.


 *Academic & Staff Development:* 

• Over ₦174 million invested in TETFund-sponsored local and international trainings from 2022–2025.

• Dozens of staff sponsored to pursue Masters and PhD programs, including foreign PhD benchwork and academic conferences across the globe.

• Professional workshops, ICT upgrades, and modern classroom/office furniture installed, advancing a 21st-century academic environment.

These strides underscore the commitment of the Rector to national development through technical and vocational education—a pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.


 *CONDEMNATION OF THE UNHOLY CONDUCT OF NASU LOCAL CHAPTER:* 

It is disappointing that despite the clear directive from the National Body of NASU, dated 25th June, 2025 *(Ref: NASU/POL/557/VOL.II/93)* , instructing the Ekowe NASU branch to suspend the ongoing strike due to active legal proceedings and reconciliation efforts, the local chapter has defiantly refused to comply.

 *This action, we declare, is:* 

• Unpatriotic

• Unlawful

• And grossly insensitive to the academic future of our students.


> "An injury to one is an injury to all."
— This guiding ethos of NASU must not be perverted into an instrument of sabotage against students, the Federal Government, and the institution's leadership.


 *THE FACTS:* 

1. Union dues were halted only for NASU members who failed to comply with the management’s directive to regularize their union membership—while ASUP and SSANIP complied.

2. Promotion exercises were conducted for staff who completed their appraisal forms. NASU members on strike failed to participate and now wrongfully blame the Rector.

3. The management has reopened windows for compliance and reconciliation.

4. A reconciliation meeting has even been scheduled in the spirit of dialogue.

Despite all this, the Ekowe NASU local chapter continues its ungodly defiance, acting in a way that seems designed to embarrass the Federal Government and disrupt educational progress.

Furthermore, it is evident that the NASU and SSANIP Chairman (particularly the SSANIP) in this issue are purely displaying nepotism.

 *One must ask:* 

• Where were these individuals when Nigerian students at Federal Polytechnic Ekowe were being denied NYSC mobilization and ITF enrollment? It took the intervention of the current transformative leader to rescue the Polytechnic from such national embarrassment.

• It is also worth questioning the credibility of the NASU Secretary and the SSANIP Chairman, both of whom claim to be accountants, yet remained silent and inactive while contractors were paid for projects that were never executed. This negligence contributed to TETFUND placing a ban on the Polytechnic for misuse of funds. Thankfully, the emergence of new leadership reversed this stigma and reinstated the Polytechnic’s credibility.

• Even more telling is the fact that program accreditation at the institution had lapsed since 2019/2020 without any protest or objection from these so-called union leaders. Yet now, with the advent of a visionary Rector who corrected all previous anomalies, achieved full accreditation of all programs, and introduced seven new accredited courses within two years, their protest suddenly emerges.

It is also notable that Federal Polytechnic Ekowe stands as the only institution in Bayelsa State with solar inverter systems installed for all student hostels, despite not being connected to the national grid. Additionally, the Rector has initiated a monthly free transportation scheme for students—further demonstrating his commitment and love for student welfare. Truly, this is a student-centered CEO whose leadership should be commended, not sabotaged.


 *OUR POSITION:* 

We, the students of Nigeria’s Polytechnics and allied institutions, are directly affected by this strike. Classes are on hold. Research is stalled. Dreams are delayed. This, we must strongly reject.

 *We therefore:* 

• Declare the continued strike action as an act of sabotage against the Federal Government’s educational reform.

• Label the NASU Local Chapter at Ekowe as a vandalizer of national projects and an enemy of students and of national progress, if they do not return to work.

• Demand immediate compliance with the NASU National Secretariat’s suspension letter and return to duty no later than Monday, July 28th, 2025.

• Call on all staff and student unions in the Polytechnic to rally behind the Rector and protect the future of the institution.


> “No war has ever been won on the battlefield. Warriors must return to the talking tables to win every war.”


 *FINAL WARNING & STUDENTS ACTION:*

Let it be known that if this strike continues:

• NAPS will mobilize a peaceful protest of only 0.001% of our 28.1 million membership.

• We will join the students of Federal Polytechnic Ekowe in declaring the striking NASU branch an enemy of students and the government.

• We will petition relevant authorities including the Minister of Labour, Minister of Education, National Assembly, and the Presidency, demanding disciplinary action.

Conclusively, Dr. Agbabiaka Adegoke Lukman represents the type of transformative leadership Nigeria needs at this critical time. We encourage him not to be distracted by selfish elements. NAPS stands firmly with him.

We also call on President Tinubu, the Honourable Ministers, and all education stakeholders to take decisive steps in defending the integrity of the academic calendar and safeguarding the educational future of Nigerian students.

 _Enough is enough! The students of this nation shall no longer be silent while their future is toyed with._ 

Yours in Nation Building,
Dist. Sen. Oyewumi Festus Ayomide,
President of the Senate, NAPS.
📞 +2348176119346


CC:

•Hon. Minister of Education
• Hon. Minister of Labour
• President, NASU National
• Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe
• All Zonal NAPS Coordinators
• Nigerian Students Press Corps.

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