The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government four weeks to resolve all outstanding issues with university-based unions as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) begins another nationwide strike.

 

 

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the ultimatum after a meeting with leaders of tertiary institution unions in Abuja. He said the Congress could no longer watch the education system deteriorate due to government neglect and unfulfilled promises.

 

Ajaero said the NLC’s intervention was to protect public education and ensure the Federal Government meets its obligations to the unions. He criticised the no-work-no-pay policy against ASUU members, describing it as unfair and counterproductive.

 

He warned that if the government fails to conclude negotiations within four weeks, the NLC would mobilise all workers across the country for a nationwide strike.

 

ASUU declared its strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28. The union is demanding the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, payment of withheld salaries, improved funding for universities, and the release of cooperative deductions.

 

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said the strike was a last resort after several failed attempts to get the government to act on past agreements.

 

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, recently said the government had released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and budgeted ₦150 billion for university revitalisation in 2025. However, ASUU described the gesture as inadequate and insisted on a comprehensive solution.

 

The NLC restated its solidarity with ASUU and other university unions, calling for urgent action to prevent further disruption of the academic calendar.

 

The ongoing crisis has left students stranded across campuses nationwide, with many uncertain about when academic activities will resume.