NLC issues FG four-week ultimatum to settle with ASUU, tertiary education unions
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has resolved to issue a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education-based associations.
The president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero made this known in an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, where he condemned the Federal Government’s ‘no work, no pay’ policy against ASUU.
The interactive session was sequel to a meeting between the NLC and leaders of tertiary education-based unions at the NLC headquarters in Abuja.
Ajaero remarked: “We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU but the problem in this sector goes beyond ASUU.
“That is why we are extending this to four weeks. If after four weeks this negotiation is not concluded, the organs of the NEC will meet and take a nationwide action. All unions in the country will be involved, so that we get to the root of all this.”
“The era of signing agreements, negotiations and threatening the unions involved, that era has come to an end.
“The policy, the so-called policy of ‘no work, no pay’ will henceforth be no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that most, 90% of strike actions in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements,” he added.
Recall that, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the government, ASUU National President Professor Chris Piwuna had announced a nationwide strike by the union at a press briefing at the University of Abuja on Sunday October 12.
The warning strike commenced on Monday October 13, as the union currently demands the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, sustainable funding of public universities, among other demands.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa had earlier warned in a statement released to the press on Sunday October 12, by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Folasade Boriowo, that the Federal Government will issue a ‘no work, no pay’ policy should ASUU continue with their strike action, after the university teachers declared a two-week warning strike.
Vice-chancellors of federal universities in Nigeria were consequently directed to enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy against Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members, taking part in the ongoing strike.
In a circular dated October 13 2025, signed by the Nigerian Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, copying relevant government authorities and agencies, the Federal Ministry of Education said it was dissatisfied over reports of the industrial action by ASUU, despite repeated calls for dialogue.
The Minister had said that the Federal Government was opened to constructive engagement with ASUU in resolving outstanding issues, stating that the Government had demonstrated sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the Union.
