…NLC Issues Fresh Warning Over Unresolved Varsity Disputes
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has handed the Federal Government a four-week ultimatum to resolve all outstanding issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution-based unions or face a nationwide shutdown.
Speaking at the Labour House, Abuja, on Monday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Congress would “activate all necessary instruments” should the government fail to conclude negotiations with affected unions within the stipulated time.
The announcement came after a crucial meeting between NLC leaders and representatives of ASUU, SSANU, NASU, and NAAT, following renewed tensions in the nation’s tertiary education sector.
Ajaero: ‘No Pay, No Work’ Policy Will Be Met With Resistance
Ajaero criticized the Federal Government’s handling of negotiations with university unions, accusing officials of engaging in “unauthorized meetings” that often lead to unfulfilled agreements.
“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector,” he said. “If after four weeks these talks are not concluded, the organs of the NLC’s National Executive Council will meet and take nationwide action that will involve all workers and all unions.”
READ ALSO: ASUU Ignores FG’s Appeal to Suspend Strike
The labour leader also faulted the government’s “no work, no pay” stance against striking lecturers, insisting that the NLC would henceforth adopt a “no pay, no work” response.
“The era of signing agreements, holding negotiations, and then threatening unions is over. You cannot benefit from an action you instigated. Ninety per cent of strike actions in this country are caused by the government’s failure to honour agreements,” Ajaero asserted.
ASUU Strike Deepens Tertiary Sector Crisis
Last week, ASUU, led by its President Prof. Chris Piwuna, declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on 28 September.
The union said the industrial action became inevitable following the government’s failure to address critical issues, including:
READ ALSO: ‘No Work, No Pay,’ FG Reacts to ASUU Strike
Unpaid salary arrears and earned academic allowances
Poor university infrastructure
Non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement
Unresolved welfare concerns
FG Defends Progress, Says ₦200bn Allocated for Education Reform
Reacting to ASUU’s strike, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the action as “needless,” insisting that talks with the union had reached an advanced stage.
He disclosed that the government had released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and made a ₦150 billion provision in the 2025 budget for a comprehensive needs assessment, to be disbursed in three instalments.
READ ALSO: SANU, NASU Protest in Abuja Over Failed Promises
Despite this, the NLC insists that mere promises are no longer enough, stressing that the government must demonstrate “good faith” by honouring past agreements and ensuring that negotiations are conducted by authorized officials.
Nationwide Action Looms
With ASUU’s strike ongoing and the NLC now threatening a full-scale shutdown across all sectors, pressure is mounting on the Federal Government to avert another prolonged disruption in the education system.
If the four-week ultimatum lapses without tangible progress, the NLC says it will mobilize all affiliate unions for a national strike that could paralyze key sectors, including education, health, and transport.
“This is not just about ASUU. It’s about respect for agreements and the future of our education system,” Ajaero concluded.
