The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared full solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), openly opposing the Federal Government’s threat to enforce its “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking lecturers.
The NLC described the move as “ill-advised, provocative, and counterproductive,” insisting that the government, not the lecturers, bears responsibility for the breakdown in industrial harmony.
Government’s Threat Sparks Fresh Tension
The confrontation escalated after the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed university vice-chancellors to activate the “No Work, No Pay” rule following ASUU’s declaration of a two-week warning strike.
The union said the strike became necessary due to the Federal Government’s failure to honour long-standing agreements on university revitalization, unpaid earned allowances, and staff welfare.
ASUU President, Dr. Christopher Piwuna, said the strike was a “painful but unavoidable decision,” accusing the government of turning deaf ears to repeated calls for dialogue.
“Nobody can intimidate or threaten us into silence,” Piwuna said. “We are fighting for the soul of public education in Nigeria.”
NLC: ‘You Can’t Threaten ASUU into Submission’
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero condemned the “No Work, No Pay” directive, saying it amounted to punishment for workers demanding justice.
“The right to strike is a legitimate weapon in industrial relations,” Ajaero stated. “The lecturers are not the problem. Government’s failure to honour its promises is the real breach of contract.”
He warned that if the government continues to threaten university lecturers rather than address their grievances, the NLC would be compelled to mobilize a nationwide response that could shut down multiple sectors.
“We stand in total solidarity with ASUU and all education unions. The NLC will not fold its arms while government uses coercion against legitimate labour demands,” Ajaero warned.
ASUU’s Demands and Lingering Issues
ASUU’s demands date back to several agreements signed between the union and the Federal Government since 2009, including:
- Revitalization funds for public universities.
- Improved lecturers’ welfare and earned allowances.
- Upgraded facilities and research support.
- Full implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) payment system.
The union says these issues remain largely unaddressed despite multiple MoUs and MoAs, making the new strike a continuation of an unfinished struggle for educational reform.
Government Defends Policy
In defence of its decision, the Education Ministry maintains that the “No Work, No Pay” policy is rooted in Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act, which allows the government to withhold salaries of employees who withdraw their services.
Officials argue that the administration has made significant progress toward resolving ASUU’s concerns, citing recent disbursements for salary arrears and campus rehabilitation projects.
“We will not continue to pay for work not done,” a senior ministry official said. “We have met most of ASUU’s demands, and discussions remain open.”
Labour Solidarity and National Implications
The NLC’s intervention has shifted the dispute from an academic issue to a broader labour confrontation, one that could have ripple effects across Nigeria’s workforce.
Industrial observers warn that if the government maintains its stance, the NLC could trigger a sympathy strike, disrupting public institutions and essential services nationwide.
Education analysts also fear that another prolonged ASUU strike could derail the academic calendar, displace students, and further erode confidence in Nigeria’s public universities.
Call for Dialogue
Both NLC and ASUU have urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to return to the negotiation table in good faith.
“The solution lies in dialogue, not dictatorship,” Ajaero stressed. “The government must treat education as a national priority, not an inconvenience.”
Parents, student unions, and civil society groups have echoed the call for a peaceful resolution, warning that continued hostility between the two sides could jeopardize the future of millions of students.
Conclusion
As tensions mount, the NLC’s solidarity with ASUU represents more than just labour unity—it highlights the growing frustration among Nigerian workers over broken promises and policy inconsistency.
Whether the Federal Government will reconsider its hardline position or risk a broader labour showdown remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the battle over “No Work, No Pay” has once again exposed the fragile state of Nigeria’s education and industrial relations system.