A fresh industrial crisis is brewing at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State between the management and the members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP.

The Union accused the Rector of the institution of threatening the life of its chairman, among other unaddressed sundry issues and grievances.

A statement by Tunde Ayedun on behalf of the union alleged that a request for an emergency meeting with the management was declined on the basis that the management was attending a party in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

However, when the two meetings eventually held on April 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., the union alleged that the Rector of the institution threatened the union chairman that "his life is tenured" which led to the abrupt end of the second meeting.

Consequently, the union issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Rector to withdraw the threat or face a 14-day notice of strike.

According to the union, "the threat has not only sent jitters to the leadership of the chapter but has been perceived to equally require a legal and industrial perspective because matters that relate to life must not be handled with levity.

"The CEC is seriously concerned that threats have become the response of 'this' management to matters of concern that was advanced to them through the congress communique.

"The Union is hereby requesting for an unequivocal withdrawal of the life threatening statement by the Rector with assurances within 48 hours or instant consideration would be given to legal and industrial remedies.

"Without prejudice to the above, our 14-day notice of strike remains operational," the union stated.

In a swift reaction, the management declared that "at no time during the said meetings did the Rector make any statement that could be construed as a threat to the life of any individual."

A statement by the spokesman of the institution, Olayinka Iroye, said, "The allegation is therefore inaccurate, misleading, and does not reflect the true account of proceedings at the meetings.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the statement credited to the Rector 'everything in life is tenured, including our careers and indeed our lives' was purely philosophical.

"It conveyed a general and universally acknowledged truth about the transient nature of human existence and was neither directed at any individual nor intended as a threat, whether implicit or explicit.

"It is also pertinent to note that, contrary to the narrative being circulated, the meeting was marked by instances of unguarded, rude utterances and verbal exchanges directed at the Rector by some members of the ASUP leadership, following earlier tensions relating to engagements involving the Polytechnic Librarian."

The management explained that it considered it necessary to make the clarification in order to prevent the spread of misinformation, avoid undue heating of the polity, and forestall unnecessary escalation of issues capable of disrupting the peace and stability of the institution.

While noting the concerns raised by the Union, the Polytechnic Management reiterated its commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and constructive engagement in resolving all outstanding matters.

"We therefore appeal to ASUP to embrace amicable resolution in the interest of peace, industrial harmony, and the continued progress of the Polytechnic.

"Management remains open to further discussions aimed at sustaining a cordial and productive working relationship with all stakeholders," it stated.