The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate resolution of outstanding issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or risk a nationwide industrial shutdown.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced the ultimatum on Monday in Abuja after a meeting with leaders of various unions in the tertiary education sector.
He said the move was in solidarity with ASUU, which last Sunday declared a two-week “total and comprehensive” warning strike over unresolved demands.
Ajaero warned that failure by the government to act within the stipulated time would compel the labour movement to declare an indefinite general strike, potentially grounding public services across the country.
“This is not just ASUU’s battle; it is a national issue,” Ajaero told journalists at Labour House.
“If the government refuses to act in good faith, labour will be left with no choice but to shut down the country.”
ASUU’s latest strike, which began on October 13, followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28.
The union is protesting the government’s failure to fully implement the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, address salary arrears, and invest in university infrastructure and staff welfare.
ASUU President Chris Piwuna described the walkout as a last resort after repeated attempts to engage with the government were met with inaction.
The Federal Government had responded by invoking the “No Work, No Pay” policy, warning that striking lecturers will forfeit their wages for the duration of the industrial action.
In a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, university vice-chancellors were instructed to conduct physical headcounts of academic staff to determine those who report for duty.
“In line with extant provisions of labour laws, the government reiterates its stance on enforcing the no work, no pay rule,” the statement read.
Despite this, the NLC maintained that the federal government beared full responsibility for the breakdown in negotiations, insisting that the demands are neither new nor unreasonable.
Meanwhile, the Senate has indicated interest in brokering peace between both parties.
Legislators are reportedly preparing to mediate discussions, with a view to averting further disruption in the public university system.
ASUU, on its part, has reiterated that only concrete government action, not promises would end the strike.
“We’ve seen too many unfulfilled commitments. It’s time for implementation, not negotiations without results, ” Piwuna said.
The looming face-off had sparked growing concern among students, parents, and stakeholders in the education sector, who fear the long-standing instability in public universities could once again derail academic calendars and disrupt lives.
NLC’s firm backing of ASUU raises the stakes considerably, with the threat of a broader labour strike adding pressure on the government to act swiftly.
As the clock ticks on the four-week deadline, attention now shifts to Abuja where policy decisions over the coming days may determine whether Nigeria faces yet another prolonged shutdown of its public university system.
