The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude all ongoing negotiations with unions in the tertiary education sector or face nationwide industrial action.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday. The session followed a closed-door meeting with leaders of tertiary institution-based unions at the NLC headquarters.
“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. While talks with ASUU are ongoing, the crisis affects more than just one union,” Ajaero stated.
“If after four weeks no resolution is reached, the organs of the NLC will convene to launch nationwide action involving all unions. We must get to the root of this instability.”
Ajaero also condemned the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as a provocation that will now be met with a “No Pay, No Work” response.
“You can’t benefit from a crisis you caused. Over 90% of strikes in this country are triggered by the government’s failure to honour agreements,” he said.
Background of the crisis
Nigeria’s public tertiary education sector has been plagued by recurring disruptions, the latest triggered by an indefinite nationwide strike declared by ASUU on Sunday, October 19.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the strike during a press conference at the University of Abuja, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28. The union cited unresolved issues including staff welfare, salary arrears, poor infrastructure, and the stalled implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had recently claimed that negotiations were in their final phase, noting that the government had released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for infrastructure. However, ASUU rejected the measures as insufficient.
The union is demanding full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, adequate funding of universities, protection from victimisation, payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.
NLC stands with ASUU
The NLC reaffirmed its full support for ASUU and other tertiary institution unions, insisting that the rights of workers must be respected and existing agreements honoured.
It also warned that the government’s silence and delays risk further destabilising the academic calendar and deepening public distrust in Nigeria’s higher education system.
“The era of intimidation and half-measures is over. We will not allow the future of Nigerian students and the rights of workers to be toyed with any longer,” Ajaero declared.
The emergency meeting also explored strategic responses to safeguard the welfare of university staff and ensure the continuity and quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
