The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commenced a crucial meeting with leaders of major tertiary education unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), over the ongoing strike that has paralysed academic activities in Nigerian universities.
The meeting, currently taking place at the NLC national headquarters in Abuja, seeks to find lasting solutions to the crisis and other concerns raised by workers in tertiary institutions nationwide.
The NLC had earlier issued an invitation to all union leaders across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for a joint discussion, following failed negotiations with the Federal Government.
Nigeria’s higher education system has been plagued by recurrent instability, with the latest strike leading to a nationwide shutdown of universities.
The ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike at a press briefing at the University of Abuja on Sunday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.
According to ASUU, the industrial action was triggered by the government’s failure to address long-standing issues, including:
- Implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement
- Release of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries
- Sustainable funding for universities
- Protection against victimisation of members
- Payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears
- Release of withheld cooperative and union contribution deductions
Recent talks between ASUU and the Federal Government failed to avert the strike. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had announced that ₦50 billion was released for earned academic allowances and ₦150 billion allocated in the 2025 budget for needs assessment to be disbursed in three instalments.
However, ASUU rejected these measures as insufficient and inconsistent with the terms of previous agreements.
The NLC, in its statement, reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary unions, urging all workers to stand united in defence of fair labour practices and educational integrity.
“We stand with the unions in their just demand for fair treatment, improved welfare, and adequate funding of the education sector. The principle of ‘No Pay, No Work’ must not override the government’s obligation to honour collective agreements,” the NLC stated.
The ongoing emergency meeting is expected to determine the next steps in the industrial action and outline strategies to safeguard the welfare of university staff and the continuity of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
