The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will join forces with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions if the Federal Government fails to conclude ongoing negotiations within four weeks.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the announcement during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, following a meeting between the Congress and leaders of tertiary institutions’ unions at the NLC headquarters.

“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 problems extend beyond ASUU,” Ajaero said. “If after four weeks these negotiations are not concluded, the organs of the NEC will meet to decide on a nationwide action involving all workers and unions in the country to ensure lasting solutions.”

Ajaero also condemned the government’s enforcement of the no work, no pay policy against ASUU members who participated in strikes, describing it as unjust and provocative. “The so-called policy of no work, no pay will henceforth be no pay, no work. You cannot benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that 90% of strikes in this country are caused by government’s failure to honour agreements,” he stated.

Nigeria’s tertiary education system has faced persistent instability, worsened by the ongoing ASUU strike which has led to the closure of universities nationwide. 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 Federal Government on September 28.

According to Piwuna, unresolved issues include staff welfare, salary arrears, decaying infrastructure, and non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement. “We are tired of promises. The government must show genuine commitment through action, not words,” he said.

While Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa recently assured that talks were nearing conclusion, highlighting the release of ₦50 billion for earned allowances and ₦150 billion allocated in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, ASUU dismissed the measures as inadequate. The union is demanding full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, protection from victimisation, settlement of pending promotions, and release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.

The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other education unions, urging the government to respect collective bargaining agreements and uphold workers’ rights. Ajaero said an emergency meeting of the Congress would soon be convened to determine the next line of action, including the possibility of a nationwide strike.

“The welfare of university workers and the stability of Nigeria’s public tertiary education system are non-negotiable. We will not sit back while agreements are ignored and institutions crumble,” Ajaero warned.