The Nigerian Labour Congress has initiated a critical meeting with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other tertiary education sector unions to address the ongoing nationwide strike and unresolved labour issues. The gathering, held at the NLC’s national headquarters in Abuja, includes representatives from the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics.
The dialogue seeks to find lasting solutions to the crisis in Nigeria’s higher education system, which has been marred by prolonged instability and repeated industrial actions. This engagement follows an invitation extended by the labour body to union leaders across tertiary institutions after negotiations between the Federal Government and the unions broke down.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities had declared a nationwide strike on Sunday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the government. The union’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the action during a press briefing at the University of Abuja, citing unresolved issues such as staff welfare, poor infrastructure, unpaid salary arrears, and non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
The union is demanding the full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, protection against victimisation, payment of outstanding promotion arrears, and release of withheld cooperative and union deductions. The strike has significant implications for the country’s education sector, with potential long-term effects on students, staff, and the overall quality of education.
The Nigerian Labour Congress’s intervention is a crucial step towards resolving the ongoing crisis. The meeting provides a platform for union leaders to engage with the labour body and work towards finding solutions to the pressing issues affecting the tertiary education sector. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the dialogue will yield meaningful results and bring an end to the ongoing strike. The outcome of this meeting will be closely watched, as it has the potential to impact the future of Nigeria’s higher education system.
