The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Bola Tinubu-led federal government a four-week ultimatum to resolve all lingering disputes with unions in the tertiary education sector or face a nationwide strike.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced the ultimatum during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja after a meeting between the Congress and leaders of tertiary institution-based unions at the NLC headquarters.
Ajaero expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) crisis and other related union matters, warning that workers from all sectors would join in solidarity if the government fails to act within the stipulated period.
He criticised the implementation of the no-work-no-pay policy against striking ASUU members, describing it as “punitive, counterproductive, and provocative.”
According to Ajaero, the NLC will no longer accept a pattern of “unfulfilled promises, intimidation, and insincere negotiations” from the government.
“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 problems go 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 and all unions in the country will be involved.”
“The era of empty agreements and threats against unions is over. The policy of no work, no pay will now be met with no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from a crisis you caused,” he added.
Nigeria’s university system has continued to experience disruptions due to recurring strikes, leaving students and parents frustrated and academic calendars in disarray.
