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 education system. They warned that failure to meet their demands within the specified period would result in a nationwide workers’ strike.
In a joint statement issued after a meeting in Abuja, the unions also declared a “no pay, no work” stance in response to the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy during the ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The unions involved include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), and the College of Education Staff Union (COESU), among others.
Speaking after the meeting, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the unions had resolved to present a united front to end the government’s consistent failure to honour agreements and its neglect of the education sector.
“The NLC, after extensive deliberation with the unions in the tertiary education sector, has resolved to collaborate with them to find lasting solutions to the challenges they have been facing for years,” Ajaero stated.
He explained that the unions agreed to create a framework for monitoring the implementation of existing agreements, ensure sustainable funding of education in line with UNESCO’s recommendation of 25–26% of the national budget, and review wage structures and allowances for both academic and non-academic staff.
Ajaero also criticized government officials who attend negotiations without the authority to make binding commitments.
“Henceforth, no trade union will engage in any meeting with government representatives who lack the mandate to make decisions. You cannot negotiate, sign agreements, and later renege — that era is over,” he declared.
He further revealed that a coordinated task force would be set up to launch a national campaign focused on education reform and accountability.
“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations concerning the education sector. While talks with ASUU have begun, the crisis affects all unions, not just one. If, after four weeks, there is no tangible progress, the NLC will convene to decide on a nationwide action involving all workers and unions in the country,” Ajaero warned.
Rejecting the government’s “no work, no pay” policy, Ajaero insisted that the unions would respond in kind.
“You cannot refuse to honour agreements and still punish the other party. It’s a matter of cause and effect — those who create the problem should bear the consequences. You can’t beat a child and expect the child not to cry,” he said.
With this development, Nigeria’s labour movement appears set for a major confrontation with the Federal Government unless decisive steps are taken to resolve the longstanding challenges in the education sector.
