By: Dr. Garba Ubale Danbata
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude all ongoing negotiations with unions in the tertiary education sector, warning of a potential nationwide industrial action if its demands are not met.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made this known on Monday during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja. The session followed a meeting between the NLC and leaders of various tertiary institution-based unions held at the NLC headquarters.
According to Ajaero, while discussions have commenced with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the issues plaguing the nation’s higher education system extend beyond the university lecturers’ union.
“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 problem in this sector goes beyond ASUU,” Ajaero stated.
He further cautioned that failure to conclude negotiations within the stipulated timeframe would prompt the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) to convene and consider a nationwide action involving all affiliated unions across the country.
Ajaero also condemned the Federal Government’s continued enforcement of the no-work-no-pay policy, especially as it affects ASUU members who participated in a recent nationwide strike. He described the policy as unjust and counterproductive.
“The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be 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.
He stressed that the era of government signing agreements with unions only to renege on them later is over, adding that intimidation and punitive measures would no longer be tolerated.
The warning from the NLC comes amid rising tensions in the education sector, where unresolved disputes over wages, working conditions, and funding continue to disrupt academic calendars and undermine the quality of education.
As the countdown begins, students, staff, and the broader Nigerian public await the government’s response in hopes of avoiding another nationwide shutdown.
