The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to finalise all ongoing negotiations affecting the nation’s tertiary education sector.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced the decision on Monday during an emergency press conference in Abuja after a crucial meeting with unions representing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Ajaero said the ultimatum followed years of unfulfilled promises and chronic underfunding that have triggered repeated strikes and instability in the education system.
“We have decided to give the federal government four weeks to conclude all ongoing negotiations in the sector,” he declared.
The labour leader warned that failure to meet the deadline would prompt a nationwide industrial action involving all workers and unions across the country.
“After four weeks, if no meaningful progress is made, the organs of the NLC will meet and take a nationwide action that will involve all workers and all unions,” Ajaero stated.
He noted that the congress had resolved to collaborate with education unions to push for long-term solutions to the persistent crises in the sector. A framework, he said, had been established to ensure the full implementation of outstanding agreements and to guarantee sustainable funding.
Ajaero also reiterated NLC’s demand for a minimum 25 per cent budgetary allocation to education, alongside the review of wage structures and allowances for both academic and non-academic staff to reflect the current economic realities.
“We cannot continue to operate with outdated wage structures while expecting world-class results. The welfare of education workers is central to achieving quality learning outcomes,” he said.
He criticised the federal government’s negotiation tactics, accusing officials of attending meetings without the authority to make binding decisions.
“It is unacceptable for officials to show up at talks without clear mandates. This has been one of the major causes of recurring crises in the sector,” Ajaero noted.
The NLC president reaffirmed the union’s commitment to defending workers’ rights, warning that the era of broken agreements was over.
“We will not fold our arms while our education system deteriorates. If the government fails to act, we will mobilise all unions to demand justice and fairness,” he concluded.
