The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude its negotiations with all unions in the tertiary education sector or face a nationwide workers’ strike.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja on Monday. The meeting followed discussions between the NLC leadership and representatives of university-based unions at the NLC headquarters.
According to Ajaero, the government has only been engaging with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while other unions in the education sector have been left hanging.
“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 go beyond ASUU,” Ajaero said.
“If after four weeks there’s no resolution, the organs of the NLC NEC will meet to decide on a nationwide action that will involve all workers and unions in the country.”
Ajaero also criticized the government’s “no work, no pay” policy, describing it as unfair and counterproductive. He warned that the Congress would now adopt a “no pay, no work” stance in response.
“The era of signing agreements and then turning around to threaten unions is over. This so-called policy of no work, no pay will now be no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from an action you caused,” he stated, adding that most industrial actions in the country stem from the government’s failure to honour its agreements.
Background
The higher education sector in Nigeria has been thrown into disarray following a nationwide strike declared by ASUU on Sunday. The strike came after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, cited unresolved issues such as staff welfare, unpaid salaries, infrastructure funding, and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Although Education Minister Tunji Alausa had earlier said that the government released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university needs, ASUU described the measures as insufficient and insincere.
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NLC’s Position
The NLC has thrown its full weight behind ASUU and other tertiary institution unions, calling on all workers to prepare for possible nationwide action if the government fails to act within the four-week deadline.
The Congress also stressed the importance of upholding collective bargaining agreements and respecting workers’ rights, warning that the neglect of education could have long-term consequences for the nation.
An emergency meeting is expected in the coming weeks to determine the next steps, as the labour body seeks to protect the welfare of university staff and restore stability to Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
Would you like me to make this sound more like a newspaper article (Punch/Vanguard style) or more like a press release from NLC’s perspective?
