NLC draws battle line with FG over crisis in varsity system,
…Summons emergency meeting with ASUU, NASU, SSANU, 7 others
…Rejects ‘no work, no pay’ policy
By Victor Ahiuma
ABUJA — The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has drawn the battle line with the Federal Government over the deepening crisis in the country’s public tertiary education sector.
It also declared solidarity with all unions currently engaged in the struggle for improved funding and implementation of outstanding agreements.
In a letter by the President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC announced an emergency meeting of all affiliate unions in the education sector to forge a unified strategy against what it described as the government’s persistent breach of collectively bargained agreements and its resort to intimidation through the “no work, no pay” policy.
The affected unions include the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU; Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria, SSUCOEN; Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP; and Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture, ASUCA.
Others are Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU; National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT; Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, ASURI; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, SSANIP.
In the letter dated October 14, 2025, addressed to the presidents and general secretaries of the unions, Ajaero stated: “The NLC conveys its fraternal greetings to you and your esteemed unions. You are undoubtedly aware of the ongoing crisis in our nation’s public tertiary education system, as highlighted in our press release of October 13, 2025, in which some of your unions are already fully engaged.
“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by ASUU and the various ultimatums issued by most of your unions to the federal government are direct consequences of government’s persistent refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements.”
The congress explained that the meeting was convened to develop a unified strategy that would strengthen labour’s engagement with government on the unresolved issues affecting the education sector.
“In line with our declaration of full solidarity with ASUU and all unions in the education sector, and in recognition of the urgent need to evolve a comprehensive and unified strategy, congress has scheduled an emergency meeting at NLC Headquarters, Abuja, to strategize on effective engagement with the federal government regarding the unresolved issues in the tertiary education sector,’’ he said.
Ajaero noted that the fight for the survival of public education was a collective one and warned that no union should be left to struggle in isolation.
“Comrades, the struggle for the survival of public education is a fight for the soul of our nation. We can no longer afford to have our unions stand alone. It is, therefore, imperative that your union is represented at this crucial meeting.
“We urge you to attend promptly and come prepared to make robust and constructive contributions towards formulating a decisive course of action that will compel government to understand that threats such as ‘no work, no pay’ cannot resolve these issues.
‘’The only solution lies in honouring negotiated agreements. Government must equally be reminded that there is a converse principle — ‘no pay, no work.’”
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The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has drawn the battle line with the Federal Government over the deepening crisis in the country’s public tertiary education sector.
The post NLC draws battle line with FG over crisis in varsity system appeared first on Vanguard News.
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