The Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the Federal Government’s moves to invoke the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking university lecturers, describing it as an act of intimidation that will not resolve the crisis in the nation’s tertiary education system.
In a statement signed on Monday by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities was a legitimate and necessary response to government’s persistent failure to honour collective agreements.
Ajaero said the Federal Government’s refusal to implement voluntarily signed agreements with lecturers and other workers in the education sector has continued to undermine public universities.
“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is a direct consequence of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements.
“This action is a necessary response to the neglect of a fundamental pillar of our society,” NLC said.
He faulted the government’s “No Work, No Pay,” moves insisting that it misrepresents the real situation.
“The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars.
“The lecturers are willing to work, but the government, by reneging on its commitments, has made it impossible for them to do so with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves,” Ajaero said.
The congress said the ongoing struggle transcends an industrial dispute, arguing that it exposes deeper inequalities within Nigeria’s education system.
It noted that while the children of the elite attend private or foreign institutions, those of ordinary citizens are left in an underfunded public system.
“This creates an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality,” the NLC noted, adding that an educated populace remains essential for national progress.
The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other unions in the tertiary education sector, calling on the Federal Government to immediately address the core issues raised in the agreements.
It also warned that the Congress would convene an emergency meeting with its affiliates if the government fails to respond after the two-week strike.
“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle.
“The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone,” the statement concluded.
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