The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions in the education sector have issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all outstanding issues affecting the nation’s tertiary institutions, warning that failure to do so will trigger a nationwide industrial action.
The unions also declared a “no pay, no work” stance in response to the government’s enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy following the ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The affected unions include ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), and the College of Education Staff Union (COESU), among others.
Speaking after a joint meeting in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the unions had resolved to act collectively to end the government’s persistent breach of agreements and neglect of the education sector.
“The NLC, after extensive deliberation with unions in tertiary institutions, has resolved to work with them to find a lasting solution to the issues they have been facing for years,” Ajaero stated.
He explained that the unions agreed to create a joint framework to monitor the implementation of existing agreements, ensure sustainable education funding in line with UNESCO’s 25–26% budgetary recommendation, and review wage structures for both academic and non-academic staff.
“We discovered that government officials attending meetings often go without mandates. Henceforth, no union will negotiate with representatives who lack authority to make binding commitments,” he said.
Ajaero revealed that a coordinated national campaign would soon be launched to demand accountability and reform in the education sector.
“We have given the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations. If after this period there is no resolution, the organs of the NLC will meet and declare a nationwide action involving all workers and unions,” he warned.
Rejecting the government’s “no work, no pay” policy, Ajaero said the unions would respond with “no pay, no work,” arguing that most strikes result from the government’s failure to honour agreements.
“You can’t refuse to honour agreements and then punish the other party. Those who cause the problem should bear the consequences,” he declared.
With this resolution, the NLC and its allied unions appear set for a major confrontation with the Federal Government unless urgent steps are taken to address the deepening crisis in Nigeria’s education sector.
