Examinations at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, began on Monday under tight security after soldiers were reportedly deployed following threats from striking lecturers.
Examinations at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, commenced on Monday amid heightened tension as soldiers were reportedly deployed to secure venues after threats by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).
ASUP had on September 15 declared an indefinite strike over 18 months of unpaid excess workload allowances and directed members to boycott exams. A staff member told Daily Trust that soldiers were stationed to protect students and volunteers supervising the process.
“The polytechnic started examinations today, and while some staff volunteered to participate, the union had threatened to stop the process. That was why management brought in soldiers to protect students and staff,” the source said.
However, the institution’s Information Officer, Mallam Abubakar Dzukogi, denied the claim, insisting only directors monitored exams. ASUP chairman Comrade Kolo Joshua accused management of intimidation, stressing allowances owed under both current and past administrations remain unsettled, further straining relations between staff and management.