Abuja – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun a crucial meeting with leaders of major tertiary education unions to address the ongoing nationwide strike that has crippled universities and other higher institutions across the country.
The meeting, which is currently taking place at the NLC national headquarters in Abuja, includes representatives from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), among others.
The NLC convened the session following its invitation to all education-related unions across the country, seeking to find a sustainable resolution to the industrial crisis sparked by failed negotiations between the Federal Government and university workers.
Nigeria’s higher education sector has been mired in instability for decades, with the current impasse leading to the shutdown of public universities after ASUU declared an indefinite strike on Sunday.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike at a press briefing held at the University of Abuja, citing the government’s failure to meet key demands following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28.
The union’s grievances include unresolved issues surrounding staff welfare, infrastructure development, unpaid salary arrears, and the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government Agreement.
Earlier, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said discussions had reached an advanced stage, noting that the government had released ₦50 billion for earned academic allowances and earmarked ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for university needs assessments to be disbursed in three instalments. However, ASUU dismissed these measures as inadequate.
ASUU’s demands also cover the release of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, payment of outstanding promotions and arrears, non-victimisation of union members, and release of withheld cooperative and union deductions.
In his remarks, NLC President Joe Ajaero reaffirmed the Congress’s solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary education unions, stressing that the struggle is not just about wages but about protecting the integrity and future of public education in Nigeria.
“We stand firmly with all education workers in this struggle. The government must respect collective agreements and end this cycle of neglect that continues to destroy our education system,” Ajaero said.
The emergency meeting is expected to produce a coordinated plan of action, including strategies for engaging the Federal Government and safeguarding the welfare of staff and students affected by the prolonged shutdown of public universities.
