The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its ongoing two-week warning strike, describing the industrial action as a justified reaction to the Federal Government’s continued negligence of the education sector.
In a statement released on Monday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, expressed deep concern over what he called the persistent crisis in Nigeria’s public education system one characterized by chronic underfunding and the government’s failure to honour past agreements.
Ajaero criticized the Federal Government for refusing to implement collectively bargained agreements with university lecturers and workers, warning that such neglect is undermining the integrity and sustainability of public tertiary institutions across the country.
“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by ASUU is a direct consequence of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements,” the statement reads in part.
The NLC criticised the government for threatening lecturers with the ‘no work, no pay’ policy rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis.
“This misrepresents the situation. The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars,” the statement added.
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It further noted that lecturers are willing to work, but the government’s failure to meet its commitments has made it impossible for them to do so “with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves.”
The congress stressed that the dispute goes beyond labour issues, describing it as a broader societal concern that exposes deep inequalities within Nigeria’s education system.
“While the children of the elite attend private institutions or study abroad, the children of the working class and the poor are left in a public education system being systematically weakened,” Ajaero said.
The NLC warned that government policies were widening the educational divide and “reserving quality education as a commodity for the privileged few.”
“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle. The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future,” Ajaero declared.
The labour body urged the Federal Government to immediately withdraw its threats and address the core issues outlined in the negotiated agreements with ASUU.
It cautioned that if, after the two-week warning strike, the government remained unresponsive, “the NLC will not stand idly by.”
The statement also revealed that the congress would soon convene an emergency meeting with its affiliates in the tertiary education sector to develop a “comprehensive strategy for engaging the government.”
Ajaero called on the government to fulfil its promises and rescue the public education system, warning that continued neglect could trigger a firm and united response from Nigerian workers nationwide.