The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a four-week deadline to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or face a nationwide shutdown by labour unions.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this announcement in Abuja on Monday after a meeting with leaders of unions from tertiary institutions. He explained that the four-week period would allow the government to resolve all pending issues, including the long-delayed 2009 agreement with ASUU.
Addressing journalists at the Labour House alongside national leaders of education unions, Ajaero stated that the NLC would commence an indefinite strike if the government failed to act within the given timeframe.
He said the planned strike would be in solidarity with the educational unions, emphasising that labour could end all ongoing industrial actions if the government showed genuine commitment. However, he warned that if the authorities continued to disregard workers’ concerns, the unions would have no option but to shut down the country.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, had earlier announced a two-week “total and comprehensive” strike after a 14-day ultimatum expired on 28 September. The union based its action on the government’s failure to address issues relating to staff welfare, infrastructure, implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and outstanding salaries.
The Federal Government, however, faulted ASUU’s decision, claiming that efforts were being made to address its grievances. It subsequently directed universities to enforce a “No Work, No Pay” policy and instructed vice-chancellors to conduct attendance checks and submit reports on academic staff present at work.