NLC, ASUU Unite to Tackle University Instability, Issue Four-Week Ultimatum to FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have joined forces to demand a lasting solution to the persistent instability plaguing Nigeria’s university system.

The NLC on Monday gave the Federal Government a four-week deadline to conclude negotiations with all academic and non-academic unions in higher institutions warning that failure to act could trigger nationwide industrial action.

At a meeting held at the NLC headquarters in Abuja, the Congress engaged with leaders of ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and others. The meeting focused on the ongoing strike by university lecturers and broader concerns affecting workers across tertiary institutions.

Nigeria’s tertiary education system has long been plagued by recurring crises, the latest being a nationwide shutdown following ASUU’s indefinite strike. ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the action on Sunday at the University of Abuja, citing unresolved issues on staff welfare unpaid salaries and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement.

The government had previously stated that N50 billion was released for earned academic allowances and N150 billion earmarked in the 2025 budget for needs assessment projects, to be disbursed in three phases. However, ASUU dismissed the measures as inadequate insisting on full implementation of the 2009 pact release of withheld salaries and deductions, and sustainable university funding.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero said, “We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations. If after this period nothing changes, the organs of the NEC will meet to decide on nationwide action involving all workers and unions. The era of signing empty agreements and threatening unions is over.”

Ajaero also condemned the government’s “no work, no pay” stance describing it as exploitative. “From now on, it will be no pay, no work. You can’t gain from a crisis you created” he said blaming repeated strikes on government’s refusal to honour agreements.

Supporting the NLC’s position, ASUU President Piwuna said the union would no longer negotiate with government representatives lacking the mandate to make binding commitments. “We will not accept a situation where officials agree to terms only to return with different documents claiming superior directives” he said. “Government must take education seriously and stop treating unions with disdain.”

The ongoing strike which entered its eighth day on Tuesday, followed ASUU’s earlier two-week warning strike. The dispute has once again crippled academic activities nationwide heightening public frustration over the government’s handling of tertiary education.