Resolve ASUU Disputes in 4 Weeks or Face Nationwide Strike, Labour Warns FG
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude ongoing negotiations with all unions in the tertiary education sector or face a nationwide industrial action.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the declaration during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja following a closed-door meeting between the NLC and leaders of tertiary institution-based unions.
Ajaero criticised the government’s no-work-no-pay policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as punitive and counterproductive.
“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 issues go beyond ASUU,” Ajaero stated.
“If after four weeks these negotiations are not concluded, the organs of the NLC’s National Executive Council will meet and take nationwide action. All workers and unions across the country will be involved so we can get to the root of this lingering problem.”
Ajaero warned that the era of government signing agreements and later reneging on them was over, adding that the NLC would now adopt a reciprocal stance.
“The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be met with no pay, no work. You cannot benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that nearly 90% of strikes in this country result from the government’s failure to honour agreements,” he said.
ASUU Strike and Lingering Disputes
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Nigeria’s higher education system has been plagued by recurring industrial actions, with the latest strike leading to the closure of public universities nationwide.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike at 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.
Piwuna cited unresolved issues including staff welfare, infrastructure decay, unpaid salary arrears, and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government Agreement.
While Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa recently disclosed that the government had released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university needs assessment, ASUU dismissed these efforts as inadequate.
The union’s demands include:
Full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Release of three and a half months’ withheld salaries.
Sustainable funding for universities.
Protection against victimisation of members.
Payment of outstanding promotion arrears.
Release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.
Labour Solidarity and Next Steps
The NLC reiterated its solidarity with ASUU and other unions in the education sector, urging the government to respect collective bargaining principles and protect workers’ rights.
The congress also stressed that the proposed “no pay, no work” stance would be implemented if the government continues to disregard agreements.
The emergency meeting, convened at the NLC headquarters, is expected to outline the next line of action and formulate strategies to safeguard the welfare of university staff as well as ensure the stability and quality of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
