The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to join forces with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if the Federal Government fails to conclude negotiations with unions in the tertiary education sector.
The decision was announced by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, following a meeting between the NLC and leaders of tertiary institutions’ unions held at the Congress headquarters.
His statement, “We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problems extend beyond ASUU,” Ajaero stated.
If after four weeks these negotiations are not concluded, the organs of the NEC will meet to decide on a nationwide action involving all workers and unions in the country, to ensure that lasting solutions are found.”
The NLC also criticised the Federal Government’s no-work-no-pay policy imposed on members of ASUU for embarking on strike, describing it as unjust and provocative.
The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be no pay, no work. You cannot benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that most strike actions in this country — up to 90% — are caused by the government’s failure to honour agreements,” Ajaero added.
Nigeria’s tertiary education system has been plagued by instability, with the ongoing ASUU strike leading to the closure of universities nationwide.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, had announced the strike during a press briefing at the University of Abuja on Sunday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28. The union cited unresolved issues such as staff welfare, salary arrears, infrastructure decay, and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Despite assurances from Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa that talks were nearing conclusion, with ₦50 billion released for earned allowances and ₦150 billion earmarked in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, ASUU rejected the measures as insufficient.
ASUU is demanding full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, protection against victimisation, settlement of outstanding promotions and arrears, and release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.
The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other education unions, calling on the government to respect collective agreements and the rights of workers.
The Congress said the emergency meeting aims to determine the next steps for industrial action and devise strategies to protect the welfare of university staff and the stability of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
