Academic activities have resumed at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, in Bayelsa State, following an end to the industrial action that had crippled the institution for over two months.
On Monday,Students returned to the campus marking the conclusion of a prolonged impasse between the polytechnic’s management and its three main staff unions: the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institution (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP).
The dispute was resolved after the polytechnic’s Governing Council led by Ambassador (Dr.) Baba Gana Ajimi suspended the Rector, Dr Adegoke Lukman Agbabiaka, and appointed former Deputy Rector, Engr. Dr. Timine Owei Suoware as Acting Rector, in line with the directives of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
According to a joint statement released by the Unions at the Institutions Campus Auditorium on Monday, the Minister, after an expanded meeting with the unions’ representatives and management of the Polytechnic on Monday, September 29, 2025, also directed the governing council to set up a fresh panel to investigate sundry allegations levelled against the Rector by the unions.
The panel was mandated to report its findings in three weeks.In the statement, the unions said Dr. Agbabiaka’s suspension was due to allegations of financial fraud, inhumane treatment of staff, maladministration, oppressive and intimidating activities, among other issues.
ASUP chairman, Comrade Woyengitonye Butler Abadani, flanked by Comerade Etebu Ebifiye Prosper, NASU Chairman, Ekowe Chapter, and Comrade Deacon Charles Arogo, SSANIP Chairman, Ekowe Chapter, said the unions were appreciative of the swift action taken by the Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa and the Institution’s Governing Council led by Ambassador Baba Gana and confirmed the suspension of the Rector and the resumption of academic activities in the institution.
The newly appointed Acting Rector, Engr. Dr. Suoware, also confirmed his appointment.
Dr. Suoware, on behalf of the polytechnic’s students who were affected by the impasse, President of the Student Union Government, Comrade Faith Eteng Ikpi, expressed relief that academic activities have resumed.
Others also present at the briefing were Dr. Inibehe George Ukpong, Dean, School of Agricultural Technology; Mr. Odaumiebi Ouserigha, HOD, Accountancy, among other academic and non academic staff of the institution.
Recall that Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa intervened and resolved the lingering labour dispute at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe by summoning Warrington parties to the industrial dispute that left the Polytechnic shut down since July 11.
It was gathered that the minister directed the governing council to set up a fresh panel to investigate sundry allegations levelled against the Rector by the unions. The panel was mandated to report its findings in three weeks.
The meeting followed a joint petition to the minister over the suspension of a governing council meeting to resolve the labour dispute on the grounds of insecurity.
The workers had in the petition submitted that the claim of insecurity was a ploy to avert a pending probe of allegations against the Rector, as there was no security threat in Bayelsa to warrant suspension when the council members were already in town for the meeting.
The unions had said that only the suspension, pending investigation of the Rector, Dr Agbabiaka Lukman, will guarantee industrial harmony to the institution.
