The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has called for the unionisation of private universities across the country, urging the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to lead the charge.

Ajaero made the call on Sunday during The Toyin Falola Interviews Series titled “A Conversation with the President of ASUU, Professor Christopher Piwuna,” where discussions centred on the recurring ASUU strikes and the stability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The NLC President condemned what he described as the “incessant harassment” of ASUU and its members, questioning why the Federal Government continues to neglect agreements it willingly signed with the union since 2009.

“It is unfair that the government signed an agreement with ASUU and has refused to honour it. The continuous intimidation of lecturers must stop,” Ajaero said.

He revealed that ASUU’s formation was initially opposed by the government, which tried to prevent its affiliation with the NLC on the grounds that it was a senior staff association — a position later overturned after the NLC successfully challenged it.

Ajaero also claimed that the proliferation of private universities in Nigeria was part of an attempt to weaken ASUU’s influence. “Private universities were created to undermine ASUU. We must begin to unionise them so that the rights of academic workers in those institutions are also protected,” he declared.

Unlike their public counterparts, private universities have remained unaffected by ASUU’s industrial actions, largely because they operate outside the union’s structure.

Ajaero further emphasised the need for greater collaboration among academic unions to strengthen their collective bargaining power. “There should be synergy among university unions to harmonise their demands from the government,” he said.

Responding, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said university autonomy and academic freedom cannot be achieved without proper funding and improved welfare for lecturers. He dismissed claims that ASUU’s demands are self-serving, saying members continue to work under harsh conditions while enduring government intimidation.

Also speaking, Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan highlighted what he described as an “ideological problem” between the government and ASUU. He noted that while ASUU advocates for better welfare and facilities to enhance education and research, the government views union activities from a political and economic standpoint.

“There must be ideological convergence between the government and ASUU to ensure students do not continue to suffer,” Egbokhare said.

The conversation underscored the growing call for reforms in Nigeria’s education sector, with labour leaders and academics insisting that sustainable progress can only be achieved through fairness, accountability, and dialogue.