The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday issued a warning through the president, Joe Ajero, that it may convene an emergency congress with its affiliates if the Federal Government fails to accede to the demand of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by the end of the ongoing two-week warning strike action.
The NLC has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s warning to invoke the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking university lecturers, insisting that intimidation will not end the recurring crises in Nigeria’s public universities.
Reacting to the two-week warning strike declared by ASUU, Ajaero said the lecturers’ industrial action was a legitimate reaction to the government’s “persistent breach of trust” and failure to honor agreements it freely entered into.
In a statement, the NLC said:
“The NLC is deeply concerned by the persistent crisis in Nigeria’s public education system, marked by chronic underfunding and the government’s failure to honor agreements reached with university lecturers and workers.
This continued refusal to implement voluntarily signed agreements is undermining public tertiary institutions and eroding confidence in the system.”
“The commencement of the two-week warning strike by the ASUU is a direct consequence of the Federal Government’s failure to honor these collectively bargained agreements. The strike is not an act of defiance but a legitimate response to years of neglect and unfulfilled promises,” the statement added.
“Rather than engaging in good faith to resolve the crisis, the government has resorted to the unproductive threat of ‘No Work, No Pay.’ This narrative is misleading,” it stated.
“The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars. Lecturers are willing to work, but the government’s consistent failure to meet its obligations has made it impossible for them to do so with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves. The principle remains clear: No Pay, No Work.”
NLC has indicated its solidarity with ASUU and other unions in the education sector. The union stated that it would not remain idle while the country's future is compromised.