Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on government to increase funding of polytechnics for increased capacity utilisation and quality education.

National President of ASUP, Comrade Chibuzor Asomugha, made the call during a two-day capacity building workshop for officers of the union in Abuja

Asomugha said part of the essence of the training was to proffer solutions to the numerous challenges faced by ASUP officials in union mobilization and governance.

"ASUP is still experiencing challenges in mobilizing its members. How we will get around this challenge is why we are holding this workshop," he stated.

While describing the relationship between the union and the government as "cordial," the president called on the federal government to assist Nigerian polytechnics in areas of funding and logistics as it does for universities.

On his part, Minister of Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu pledged to work closely with trade unions in the country to ensure a harmonious relationship.

Wogu who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Solomon Ajibola, a deputy director in the ministry said the erroneous belief about trade unionism in Nigeria has to be corrected as unionism was all about values of democracy and the tenets of leadership.

In an earlier remark, the occasion's chairman and Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr (Mrs.) Kudirat Ladipo who was represented by Mrs. Oluyemi Adekunle described ASUP as an important stakeholder in the tertiary institution circles of the country regardless of the polytechnic/university dichotomy.