NLC Gives FG 4-Week Ultimatum to End ASUU Strike

The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) leadership issued a four-week deadline to the federal government on Monday to address all disputes with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in tertiary institutions.

They warned that if the federal government does not finalize negotiations with the tertiary institution-based unions within this timeframe, they would not hesitate to take significant actions by implementing all necessary measures.

During a session with Labor Correspondents at Labor House in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that they discovered that some affiliate unions have been meeting with government representatives without authorization, which is why many agreements have not been honored.

According to Daily Trust, the interactive meeting took place following discussions between the NLC and leaders of tertiary institution-based unions, including ASUU, SSANU, NASU, and NAAT.

It is worth noting that last Sunday, ASUU’s President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike after a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28 had expired.

The union’s decision to close universities for two weeks was based on unresolved matters regarding staff welfare, infrastructure, unpaid salaries, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

In contrast, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated that the union should not have initiated a strike, as discussions had reached a conclusive stage and the government had allocated N50 billion for academic allowances and earmarked N150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment to be distributed in three phases.

During the interactive session, Ajaero emphasized that moving forward, the congress or any of its affiliate unions would no longer engage with government officials without authorization, as these officials are expected to ensure the agreements reached are realised.

The Labor leader also criticized the government for its “no-work-no-pay policy”.

He remarked, “We have resolved to provide the federal government with four weeks to finalize all negotiations in this sector. Although talks have commenced with ASUU, the challenges in this sector extend beyond just ASUU.

“That is why we are granting them four weeks. If by the end of that period the negotiations remain unresolved, the NEC’s bodies will convene and implement nationwide action that will involve all workers in the country and all unions, so unions can address the underlying issues.

“The period of merely signing agreements, negotiating, and threatening involved unions has come to an end.

“The so-called no work, no pay policy will now transform to no pay, no work. You cannot gain from a situation you initiated. We have found that nearly 90% of strike actions in this country result from the failure to adhere to agreements,” Ajaero stated.