NLC meets ASUU, SSANU, others over ongoing strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has convened an emergency meeting with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and other tertiary education unions to address the ongoing nationwide strike disrupting academic activities.

The closed-door session, held at the NLC headquarters in Abuja, also included representatives from the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP).

The meeting follows the breakdown of negotiations between the Federal Government and the unions, prompting the NLC to bring all stakeholders together to explore lasting solutions.

ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, had on Sunday announced the commencement of the strike at a press conference in Abuja after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28.

He cited unresolved issues of staff welfare, unpaid salaries, poor infrastructure, and the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement as reasons for the industrial action.

Although the Federal Government recently announced the release of ₦50 billion for earned allowances and an allocation of ₦150 billion for needs assessment in the 2025 budget, ASUU described these measures as insufficient.

The union is demanding full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, improved university funding, protection from victimisation, settlement of promotion arrears, and release of withheld union deductions.

Reaffirming solidarity with the education unions, the NLC urged the government to honour its commitments and respect workers’ rights.

The outcome of the ongoing meeting is expected to determine the unions’ next line of action and outline strategies to safeguard the welfare of academic staff and the stability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.