The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday began a crucial meeting with leaders of ASUU and major tertiary education unions to address the ongoing nationwide strike by university and college workers.
The meeting, which is holding at the NLC national headquarters in Abuja, brings together representatives 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 Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), among others.
NLC had earlier issued invitations to the affected unions to discuss possible solutions to the prolonged industrial action that has paralysed academic activities across the country’s higher institutions.
Speaking before the meeting commenced, NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said the Congress called the gathering to find “a coordinated and lasting resolution to the challenges confronting the education sector, especially those arising from failed negotiations between the unions and the Federal Government.”
The higher education sector has experienced persistent instability, with the current strike by ASUU leading to the closure of several public universities.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, had announced the commencement of the strike at a press briefing held at the University of Abuja on Sunday. The strike followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on Sept. 28 over unresolved issues relating to staff welfare, infrastructure decay, unpaid salary arrears, and the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Although the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had announced that the government released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and made provisions for ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university revitalisation, ASUU described the measures as inadequate.
The union’s demands include the release of three and a half months of withheld salaries, full implementation of previous agreements, protection against victimisation, payment of outstanding promotion arrears, and release of withheld deductions for cooperatives and union contributions.
The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with the striking unions, stressing that the government must honour collective agreements and respect the rights of workers.
“The Congress believes that the future of Nigeria’s public education system depends on meaningful dialogue and genuine commitment from all parties,” Ajaero stated.
The ongoing meeting is expected to outline the next steps for the industrial action and explore ways to ensure sustainable funding and improved welfare for staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
