The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday convened an emergency meeting with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and other tertiary education unions as the nationwide strike continues to cripple academic activities across the country.
The closed-door meeting, held at the NLC headquarters in Abuja, also had in attendance representatives from the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP).
According to NLC officials, the gathering aims to chart a collective path toward resolving the lingering crisis and safeguarding the future of Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
Unions Lament Unfulfilled Promises
The emergency meeting comes amid growing frustration among lecturers and students following the collapse of negotiations between the unions and the Federal Government.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, had on Sunday announced the commencement of an indefinite strike during a press briefing at the University of Abuja. He explained that the action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.
The union, he said, resorted to the strike over “staff welfare, unpaid salaries, poor infrastructure, and the government’s failure to implement the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.”
Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, already weakened by years of instability, now faces another shutdown, leaving thousands of students stranded and academic calendars in disarray.
Government’s Offer Rejected as ‘Inadequate’
Despite claims of progress from the Federal Government, the unions insist that the efforts fall short of expectations.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently stated that ₦50 billion had been released for earned academic allowances and another ₦150 billion included in the 2025 budget for needs assessment.
However, ASUU dismissed these measures as insufficient to address the fundamental issues plaguing universities nationwide.
The union’s demands remain firm. Full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, improved university funding, settlement of pending promotions and arrears, protection of members from victimisation, and release of withheld union and cooperative deductions.
NLC Backs Unions, Calls for Respect of Agreements
The Nigeria Labour Congress has reaffirmed its support for ASUU and other tertiary education unions. It urged the Federal Government to fulfil its commitments and respect workers’ rights.
“The struggle for the survival of public education is a fight for the soul of our nation,” the NLC said in a recent communiqué.
As discussions continue, expectations are high that the ongoing meeting will determine the unions’ next line of action and propose strategies to safeguard the welfare of academic workers while protecting the stability of Nigeria’s university system.
For now, uncertainty looms. The nation waits anxiously for a resolution that could restore hope to students and educators across the country.