By Sekinat Salahudeen
NLC Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved ASUU Demands
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) within two weeks.
In a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the Congress criticised the government for consistently neglecting agreements reached with university lecturers and workers, describing the situation as a major setback for the nation’s public education system.
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The statement noted that the ongoing two-week warning strike by ASUU was a result of the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the terms of previous negotiations, which has led to continued underfunding and instability in the tertiary education sector.
It further condemned the government’s use of threats such as “no work, no pay,” stating that the lecturers’ decision to down tools was caused by the government’s breach of agreement.
“The lecturers are ready to work, but the government’s failure to honour its commitments has made it difficult for them to do so with dignity. The true principle should be ‘no pay, no work,’” the statement said.
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The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other unions in the education sector, urging the Federal Government to take immediate steps to resolve the lingering issues rather than issuing threats.
It added that if the government remains unresponsive after the two-week period, the Congress would convene an emergency meeting with all its affiliates in the tertiary education sector to decide on the next line of action.
“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle,” the statement concluded. “The fight for quality public education is the fight for Nigeria’s future. The Federal Government must act now or face the united strength of the nation’s workforce
