The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced its intention to engage the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) over a controversial directive that could result in the downgrading of lecturers without a master’s degree. The NBTE’s plan, revealed in a circular issued earlier this month, stipulates that academic staff in polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions who fail to acquire a master’s degree within five years of employment would be reclassified as non-academic staff.
Speaking to our correspondent in Abuja, ASUP’s National President, Shammah Kpanja, confirmed that the union had only recently been made aware of the NBTE circular, which was issued on September 10 by the NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje. According to Kpanja, the authenticity of the directive is still being verified by the union.
The NBTE’s circular expressed concern over the failure of many lecturers with only a degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) to upgrade their qualifications, despite holding teaching positions. In response, the NBTE has mandated a five-year grace period from the date of employment for academic staff to obtain a master’s degree. Failure to comply would result in a shift from academic roles to non-teaching positions. The circular asserts that this measure is necessary to enhance the quality of teaching in polytechnics and TVET institutions, aligning them with global best practices.
Kpanja noted that ASUP was initially skeptical about the legitimacy of the circular, particularly after attempts to verify the letter using a QR code embedded in the document revealed discrepancies. “We just saw the circular like anybody else,” Kpanja remarked. “When we tried to check the QR code, we discovered that the letter is probably not coming from the NBTE.”
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Despite these uncertainties, Kpanja emphasized that ASUP would soon convene to discuss the matter and take a formal stance. “Our union will meet and take a position on it. We have a scheme of service that determines the type of work, your work schedule, and career progression. This directive is not in line with the established scheme of service,” he said.
While ASUP advocates for academic staff to pursue higher qualifications, the union is concerned about the broader implications of the directive on the career paths of lecturers. “We encourage scholarship, but we must also consider the guidelines for promotion and appointment of academic staff,” Kpanja added.
This issue is not the first time the NBTE has made significant policy changes aimed at improving educational standards. Recently, the NBTE issued a three-year ultimatum for principal lecturers in polytechnics to obtain doctoral degrees. However, Kpanja clarified that such measures should align with national schemes of service and existing employment frameworks.
