The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun a crucial meeting with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and other education sector unions over the ongoing nationwide strike in tertiary institutions.
The meeting, currently taking place at the NLC national headquarters in Abuja, aims to address pressing concerns raised by university and polytechnic workers across the country.
This follows an invitation from the NLC to all union leaders in tertiary institutions for a roundtable discussion aimed at finding lasting solutions to issues arising from failed negotiations with the Federal Government.
Nigeria’s higher education sector has faced prolonged instability, with the latest strike action forcing the shutdown of universities nationwide.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike at a press briefing held at the University of Abuja on Sunday, after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.
The union blamed the government’s inaction on key issues, including staff welfare, unpaid salaries, poor infrastructure, and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Despite weeks of negotiations, efforts to avert the strike were unsuccessful. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had announced two weeks earlier that talks were at a final stage, noting that the government released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment projects, to be paid in three instalments.
However, ASUU dismissed these measures as inadequate.
The union’s demands include the full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, protection against victimisation, payment of promotion and salary arrears, and release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.
The NLC, in its invitation, reaffirmed solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary unions, stressing the need for government accountability and respect for collective agreements.
It also highlighted its position on the “No Pay, No Work” principle, urging authorities to address the concerns of university staff in good faith.
The emergency meeting is expected to decide the next course of action regarding the ongoing industrial dispute and outline strategies to safeguard the welfare of academic workers and the stability of Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
Advertisement
