The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and affiliate unions from the education sector have declared a “no pay, no work” stance in response to the Federal Government’s “no work, no pay” policy.
This development follows the ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has further intensified the standoff between organized labour and the Federal Government over unresolved issues in the education sector.
Unions unite over 2009 agreement, give FG four weeks
The NLC, in a joint resolution with several education sector unions, issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation of the long-standing 2009 agreements with the unions.
The unions involved include:
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Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
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Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)
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Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU)
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National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)
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Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)
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Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP)
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Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI)
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Colleges of Education Staff Union (COESU)
The unions have resolved to work as a united front in their engagements with the government, insisting that previous patterns of unmet agreements will no longer be tolerated.
NLC accuses government of fueling strikes
Addressing journalists after a meeting in Abuja, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, criticized the Federal Government for what he described as a pattern of signing and reneging on agreements, which he said has consistently triggered industrial crises in the education sector.
“The NLC after extensive deliberation with the unions in the tertiary institutions has resolved to work with the unions to find lasting solutions to the perennial problems in that sector,” Ajaero stated.
He emphasized that government representatives often attend negotiations without proper mandates, making meaningful agreements difficult.
“You go and finish a negotiation, you sign an agreement, and then you go back to renege—never again. We will not condone this act. All over the world, agreements are held in very serious dimension,” he said.
Push for improved education funding and fair wages
The NLC and the education unions are also demanding sustainable funding for the education sector, in line with the UNESCO benchmark of 25–26 percent budgetary allocation to education.
They are calling for the review of wage structures and allowances in tertiary institutions and respect for trade union rights, including the right to collective bargaining.
Ajaero explained that a coordinated national team will be established to drive a national campaign to hold the government accountable to its commitments.
Nationwide action looms if issues remain unresolved
The NLC has given the Federal Government four weeks to conclude negotiations across the entire education sector. While discussions with ASUU have reportedly begun, Ajaero stressed that the crisis affects multiple unions, not just ASUU.
“If after four weeks this negotiation is not concluded, the organs of the NLC will meet and take a nationwide action involving all workers in the country. This will not just be a university issue; it will become a national movement,” he warned.
‘No pay, no work’ as unions push back
Responding directly to the Federal Government’s “no work, no pay” directive, the NLC declared its counter-policy of “no pay, no work.”
According to Ajaero, “The so-called policy of ‘no work, no pay’ should henceforth be ‘no pay, no work.’ You can’t benefit from an action you instigated. We have discovered that 90% of strike actions in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements. You can’t refuse to obey agreements and punish the other party.”
He added that those who cause industrial disputes must be ready to bear the consequences, stressing that the era of government avoiding accountability while penalizing workers is over.
Education crisis deepens amid growing tensions
The declaration by the NLC and its affiliates is expected to increase pressure on the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with unions. Nigeria’s tertiary education system has faced years of underfunding, salary disputes, and repeated strike actions, which have disrupted academic calendars and worsened public confidence in the sector.
Observers say the next four weeks will be crucial in determining whether the situation will be resolved through negotiations or escalate into a nationwide industrial action involving all labour unions under the NLC.
