The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has handed a fresh four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding it wraps up all ongoing negotiations with unions in the tertiary education sector.
The move comes amid growing frustration over the prolonged failure to implement past agreements and the controversial no-work-no-pay policy currently affecting members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU and other unions in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector have been in long-standing disputes with the government over issues like unpaid salaries, poor funding, failed agreements, and inconsistent government policies. The most recent major ASUU strike in 2022 lasted eight months and was triggered by similar grievances. Although negotiations resumed this year, many union leaders say there’s been more talk than action.
ASUU members are still battling with withheld salaries, despite returning to work, and other unions in polytechnics and colleges of education are demanding better welfare packages and improved infrastructure.
Speaking after a meeting with education-sector unions at the NLC headquarters in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the clock is ticking.
“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 problem in this sector goes beyond ASUU,” Ajaero stated.
“If after four weeks this negotiation is not concluded, the organs of the NEC will meet and take a nationwide action… All workers in the country will be involved.”
Ajaero also came down hard on the FG’s no-work-no-pay policy, which was used to punish university lecturers during past strikes. He described the policy as hypocritical and warned the government not to expect peace if it continues to provoke unions.
“The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from an action you instigated,” he said, blaming the government for causing most strike actions due to failure to honour agreements.
This fresh warning could lead to a massive strike across multiple sectors if the government does not act fast. With Nigeria already grappling with inflation, insecurity, and mass migration of skilled workers, another disruption in the education sector could worsen an already fragile system.
