NLC protesters
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a firm four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the resolution of all ongoing issues affecting the nation’s tertiary education sector.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced the deadline during an emergency press briefing held in Abuja on Monday, following a high-level consultation with representatives from academic and non-academic unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
“This decision stems from years of unmet commitments and chronic underfunding that continue to cripple our tertiary institutions,” Ajaero declared.
According to him, the repeated cycles of industrial actions and disruption in academic calendars are the direct result of failed agreements and half-hearted negotiations by the government.
“We have decided to give the federal government four weeks to conclude all ongoing negotiations in the sector,” Ajaero said bluntly.
Should the government fail to act within the stipulated timeframe, Ajaero warned of sweeping consequences.
“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 in the country,” he warned.
Ajaero emphasized that the Congress is fully aligned with education unions and is prepared to work with them to bring lasting stability to the sector.
He revealed that the NLC has put together a structured engagement framework aimed at fast-tracking the implementation of all outstanding agreements, as well as addressing sustainable funding gaps in education.
“We are committed to ensuring that education in Nigeria receives adequate attention and sustainable funding in line with the minimum benchmark of 25 per cent budgetary allocation,” he stated.
Calling for an urgent review of wage structures, Ajaero pointed out that both academic and non-academic personnel are being shortchanged under outdated compensation systems.
“The welfare of workers in our tertiary institutions is critical to achieving quality education. We can’t continue to operate with outdated wage structures while expecting world-class results,” he stressed.
He also took a swipe at the federal government’s negotiation style, noting that officials often turn up at meetings without the mandate to make firm decisions.
“It is unacceptable for officials to attend talks without the authority to make binding commitments. This practice has contributed to the recurring crises in the sector,” Ajaero said.
He concluded by reiterating the NLC’s resolve to protect the rights and welfare of workers in the education sector, adding that the days of signing and discarding agreements are over.
“We will not fold our arms while our education system suffers. If the government fails to act, we will mobilise all unions to demand justice and fairness,” he said.
