The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a four-week deadline to resolve its ongoing negotiations with unions in tertiary institutions or face nationwide action.
The decision was made during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, following a meeting between the NLC and leaders of university-based unions.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated that the congress is dissatisfied with the government’s slow response to the issues affecting the education sector, noting that talks have lingered for too long without meaningful progress. He said the NLC would take coordinated action involving all unions if the government fails to conclude discussions within the set period.
The labour body also condemned the “no work, no pay” policy introduced by the government against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), calling it unfair and counterproductive.
Instead, it announced a reverse stance of “no pay, no work,” warning that workers will not continue to labour under poor conditions without proper remuneration or fulfilled agreements.ASUU had declared an indefinite strike after a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government expired in September.
The union is demanding full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, payment of withheld salaries and deductions, release of earned academic allowances, and adequate funding for universities.
The government had earlier released ₦50 billion for earned allowances and budgeted ₦150 billion for a needs assessment program to be paid in instalments. However, ASUU rejected the move, insisting that the issues go beyond funding and include unfulfilled commitments.
The NLC maintained its full support for ASUU and other education unions, urging the government to honour existing agreements to restore stability to the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The emergency meeting also addressed the need to protect the welfare of university workers and ensure the sustainability of public education in Nigeria.