The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to the Federal government over the worsening crisis in the nation’s public tertiary institutions, declaring full solidarity with all education-sector unions currently agitating for improved funding and implementation of outstanding agreements.
In a letter signed by its President Joe Ajaero, and dated October 14, 2025, the NLC announced an emergency meeting of all affiliate unions in the education sector to forge a united front against what it described as the government’s continued breach of collectively bargained agreements and its “intimidation tactics” through the no work, no pay policy.
Addressed to the Presidents and General Secretaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture (ASUCA), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), the NLC wrote: “The NLC conveys its fraternal greetings to you and your esteemed unions. You are undoubtedly aware of the ongoing crisis in our nation’s public tertiary education system, as highlighted in our Press Release of 13th October, 2025, in which some of your unions are already fully engaged.
“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by ASUU and the various ultimatums issued by most of your unions to the Federal government are direct consequences of government’s persistent refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements.”
According to the Congress, the emergency meeting will be held at the NLC Headquarters in Abuja to develop a comprehensive action plan that would strengthen labour’s engagement with the Federal government on the unresolved issues destabilising the education sector.
“In line with our declaration of full solidarity with ASUU and all unions in the education sector, and in recognition of the urgent need to evolve a comprehensive and unified strategy, the Congress has scheduled an emergency meeting at NLC Headquarters, Abuja, to strategize on effective engagement with the Federal government regarding the unresolved issues in the tertiary education sector,” the statement added.
The NLC stressed that the struggle to save Nigeria’s public education system must be a collective fight and warned against allowing any union to face government pressure alone.
“Comrades, the struggle for the survival of public education is a fight for the soul of our nation. We can no longer afford to have our unions stand alone. It is therefore imperative that your union is represented at this crucial meeting.
“We urge you to attend promptly and come prepared to make robust and constructive contributions towards formulating a decisive course of action that will compel government to understand that threats such as ‘no work, no pay’ cannot resolve these issues. The only solution lies in honouring negotiated agreements. Government must equally be reminded that there is a converse principle — ‘no pay, no work.’”
The NLC’s latest move sets the stage for a potentially major showdown between organized labour and the Federal government, as frustration grows over unmet promises, unpaid entitlements, and the continued decline of Nigeria’s public universities and colleges.