Nigeria’s tertiary education unions have issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address all pending demands and unresolved issues or face a total shutdown of the nation’s higher institutions.
The ultimatum followed a joint meeting of all tertiary education-based unions convened under the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Abuja.
The unions involved include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), among others.
Unions Unite for a Common Cause
Speaking at the joint press conference, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the unified position became necessary to end the government’s recurring neglect of agreements and the persistent crises in the education sector.
“The NLC, after extensive deliberations with the unions in tertiary institutions, resolved to end the perennial problems affecting our education system,” Ajaero stated.
“We have decided to set up a framework for engagement toward implementing existing agreements, ensuring sustainable funding for education in line with UNESCO’s 25–26% budgetary recommendation, reviewing wage structures, and respecting trade union rights and collective bargaining.”
Ajaero criticized government representatives who attend meetings without proper mandates, describing the practice as a major obstacle to meaningful dialogue.
“No union will henceforth attend meetings with officials who have no authority to make binding commitments. Signing agreements only to renege on them will no longer be tolerated,” he declared.
Four Weeks to Resolve All Issues
The NLC president announced that a coordinated national campaign team would be established to oversee compliance with the four-week deadline.
“If after four weeks these negotiations are not concluded, the organs of the NLC will meet to decide on a nationwide industrial action involving all workers and unions,” he warned.
Ajaero further described the government’s “no work, no pay” policy as unjust, insisting that the new principle should be “no pay, no work.”
“Ninety percent of strikes in this country are caused by government’s failure to honour agreements. You can’t cause a problem and then punish others for reacting,” he said.
ASUU, SSANU, NASU, Others Back NLC’s Ultimatum
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to the unified struggle, saying the alliance was necessary to stop the government’s divisive tactics.
“Our warning strike is nearing its expiration, and our next steps will align with this four-week ultimatum to ensure a coordinated response,” he added.
Similarly, SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, described the joint action as “a new dawn for Nigeria’s tertiary institutions,” commending the NLC for uniting all education unions.
“We are partners in national development, but the government continues to disrespect agreements it freely signed with us,” he lamented.
Leaders of NASU, NAAT, ASUP, SSANIP, and COEASU also pledged their total support for the unified front, warning the Federal Government that failure to act within the four-week period would trigger a nationwide shutdown of tertiary institutions.