NLC issues ultimatum, threatens nationwide strike over lingering ASUU crisis

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all ongoing disputes with university-based unions, warning that failure to do so will trigger a nationwide industrial action.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja following a meeting between the Congress and leaders of tertiary institution unions, The Punch reports.

According to Ajaero, the Federal Government must conclude all negotiations within four weeks, stressing that the crisis in the education sector goes beyond the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) alone.

“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. If after four weeks this is not done, the organs of the NEC will meet and take nationwide action. All workers and all unions in the country will be involved,” Ajaero warned.

He also slammed the government’s “no work, no pay” policy against ASUU members, describing it as an act of provocation and announcing a new stance: “no pay, no work.”

“You can’t benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that 90% of strike actions in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements,” he said.

The NLC leader accused the government of consistently violating signed agreements, adding that the era of intimidation and empty promises to unions was over.

The higher education system has been crippled by the ongoing ASUU strike, which has shut down public universities across the country.

ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, declared the strike on Sunday after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28. The union cited unresolved issues such as poor welfare, unpaid salary arrears, and the failure to implement the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

Although Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the government had released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university funding, ASUU dismissed the gesture as inadequate.

The union is demanding the release of withheld salaries, proper funding of universities, protection from victimisation, and payment of outstanding promotion arrears and union deductions.

The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions, insisting that the government must honour all agreements or face a united labour front.

“We demand respect for collective bargaining and the rights of workers. Our patience is wearing thin,” Ajaero said.

The NLC’s emergency meeting, which continues this week, will determine the scale of mobilisation for what could become another massive nationwide strike.