NLC Gives FG Deadline to End ASUU Strike or Face Action

The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has warned that it will collaborate with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if the Federal Government does not finalize discussions with unions in the higher education sector.

This announcement was made by NLC President Joe Ajaero during a session with labor reporters in Abuja after a meeting with leaders of unions from tertiary institutions held at the Congress headquarters.

Ajaero remarked, “We have decided to grant the federal government a four-week deadline to wrap up all negotiations in this sector. They have begun discussions with ASUU, but the issues are broader than just ASUU.”

“Should these negotiations remain unresolved after four weeks, the National Executive Council will convene to decide on a nationwide action involving all workers and unions across the country to ensure that effective solutions are achieved.”

The NLC also condemned the federal government’s no-work-no-pay policy imposed on ASUU members for going on strike, labeling it as unfair and inflammatory.

“This no-work no-pay policy will now be met with no pay, no work. You cannot gain from a situation you created. We have found that the majority of strikes in this nation—approximately 90%—are triggered by the government’s failure to uphold agreements,” Ajaero emphasized.

Nigeria’s higher education system has been marked by turmoil, with the ongoing ASUU strike resulting in the closure of universities across the country.

ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, declared the strike during a press conference at the University of Abuja on Sunday, following the lapse of a 14-day ultimatum given to the government on September 28. The union pointed to unresolved matters such as staff welfare, unpaid salaries, decaying infrastructure, and the non-fulfillment of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

Despite assurances from the education minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, that negotiations were approaching completion, with ₦50 billion allocated for earned allowances and ₦150 billion set aside in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, ASUU deemed these measures inadequate.

ASUU is insisting on the full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment for three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, sustainable financing for universities, safeguards against victimization, resolution of overdue promotions and arrears, and the release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.

The NLC reiterated its support for ASUU and other education unions, urging the government to honor collective agreements and the rights of workers.

The Congress stated that the emergency meeting is intended to decide the forthcoming steps for industrial action and to formulate strategies to safeguard the welfare of university staff and the stability of public tertiary education in Nigeria.