The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector or face a nationwide workers’ strike.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja after an emergency meeting with unions in tertiary institutions. He said the decision followed years of unfulfilled agreements and persistent neglect that had left academic and non-academic staff struggling under poor working conditions.
Ajaero expressed deep concern over the welfare of workers in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, blaming the sector’s decline on chronic underfunding and government inaction.
“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all ongoing negotiations in the sector,” he said. “After that period, if no meaningful progress is made, the NLC leadership will meet and decide on a nationwide action involving all workers and unions across the country.”
The NLC president emphasised that the welfare of tertiary institution staff was central to achieving quality education, warning that Nigeria could not expect excellence while its educators remained on outdated wage structures.
“We cannot continue to operate with obsolete pay systems and still expect world-class results,” he said.
Ajaero also criticised the government’s negotiation process, alleging that officials often attended meetings without the authority to make binding commitments.
“It is unacceptable for government representatives to show up at negotiations without the power to make decisions. This practice has contributed to the recurring crises in the sector,” he stated.
He added that the NLC had established a framework for sustained engagement with education unions to push for the implementation of existing agreements and ensure consistent funding of the sector. Ajaero further called for an urgent review of salary structures and allowances to reflect current economic realities.
Reaffirming the NLC’s solidarity with education unions, he warned that the congress would no longer tolerate broken promises.
“We will not fold our arms while our education system and its workers suffer. If the government fails to act, we will mobilise all unions to demand justice and fairness,” he declared.
The NLC’s warning adds further pressure on the Federal Government to act swiftly, as education unions continue to accuse it of neglecting staff welfare and failing to honour past agreements — issues that have repeatedly disrupted academic activities nationwide.
