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 amid the ongoing nationwide strike that has paralysed academic activities across Nigeria.
The closed-door session, 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 forge a unified strategy for resolving the crisis and protecting the future of Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.
Unions Decry Broken Promises and Poor Welfare
The emergency meeting follows the collapse of negotiations between university unions and the Federal Government a development that has reignited frustration among both lecturers and students.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the commencement of an indefinite strike on Sunday during a press briefing at the University of Abuja, explaining that the decision came after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.
He said the union’s decision stemmed from unmet demands on staff welfare, unpaid salaries, dilapidated infrastructure, and the failure to honour the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
The continued shutdown has left thousands of students stranded and thrown academic calendars into further disarray.
Government’s Offer Rejected as ‘Inadequate’
While the Federal Government insists progress has been made, the unions maintain that the measures are grossly inadequate.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently revealed that ₦50 billion had been disbursed for earned academic allowances, and another ₦150 billion was captured in the 2025 national budget for needs assessment.
However, ASUU described the offer as “cosmetic,” arguing that it fails to address core structural and welfare concerns within the university system.
The union’s major demands include:
- Full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
- Payment of withheld salaries and earned allowances.
- Improved university funding and infrastructure revitalisation.
- Settlement of pending promotions and arrears.
- Protection from victimisation and the release of withheld union and cooperative deductions.
NLC Reaffirms Support for University Unions
The Nigeria Labour Congress has publicly backed the striking unions, urging the Federal Government to honour all previous agreements and demonstrate genuine commitment to revamping Nigeria’s education sector.
“The struggle for the survival of public education is a fight for the soul of our nation,” the NLC stated in a communiqué released Monday evening.
Uncertainty as Talks Continue
As discussions continue behind closed doors, expectations remain high that the NLC-led dialogue could pave the way for a lasting resolution.
For now, uncertainty hovers across campuses, while students, parents, and lecturers wait anxiously for a breakthrough that will restore hope to Nigeria’s struggling education system.
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