NLC Gives Federal Government Four Weeks to Resolve ASUU Crisis or Face Nationwide Strike
By Erewunmi Peace
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing crisis between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), warning that failure to act could trigger a nationwide strike.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known on Monday after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. He expressed disappointment that the government had failed to meet its earlier promises to address the lingering issues that forced ASUU and other tertiary education unions to suspend academic activities.
“We cannot continue to watch our education sector crumble while the government remains indifferent. The NLC has given the Federal Government four weeks to resolve the outstanding issues with ASUU and other university-based unions. Failure to do so will compel Nigerian workers to embark on a total and indefinite strike,” Ajaero warned.
According to the NLC, the government’s slow response to the demands of university lecturers—including payment of withheld salaries, improved funding for public universities, and full implementation of previous agreements—has deepened frustration among staff and students across the country.
The labour leader added that the union stands in solidarity with ASUU and other education-based unions, describing the persistent neglect of the education sector as “a national embarrassment.”
“The crisis in tertiary institutions is not ASUU’s problem alone; it concerns all Nigerians. We cannot have our children at home while political leaders send theirs abroad,” Ajaero said.
The NLC’s ultimatum comes as negotiations between the Federal Government and ASUU remain deadlocked. The academic union has repeatedly accused the government of failing to honour its commitments under the 2019 Memorandum of Action, particularly regarding funding for revitalisation and earned academic allowances.
The Federal Government, however, insists that it is working to resolve the dispute, citing budgetary constraints and ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders.
As the four-week deadline begins, Nigerians are watching to see whether both parties can reach an agreement to prevent a total shutdown of the nation’s economy and education sector.
