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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed strong disapproval of the Federal Government's threat to implement the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who are on strike.
The NLC stated that such intimidation will not resolve the ongoing crisis in the country’s public tertiary institutions, urging the Federal Government to prioritize public education, or risk facing the consequences from the workforce.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made this statement in a press release on Monday, responding to the warning strike initiated by the union.
Ajaero emphasized that the lecturers' actions are a legitimate reaction to the government's ongoing failure to uphold agreements that were voluntarily established with the union.
“The NLC is profoundly concerned about the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s public education system, characterized by chronic underfunding and the government's failure to honor agreements made with university lecturers and staff. This ongoing refusal to implement signed agreements is undermining public tertiary institutions and eroding confidence in the system.
“The initiation of the two-week warning strike by ASUU is a direct result of the Federal Government’s failure to uphold these collectively negotiated agreements. The strike is not an act of defiance; rather, it is a legitimate response to years of neglect and unfulfilled commitments.
“Instead of engaging in good faith to address the crisis, the government has resorted to the ineffective threat of ‘No Work, No Pay.’ This narrative is misleading.
“The breach of contract lies with the state, not the educators. Lecturers are ready to work, but the government’s ongoing failure to fulfill its obligations has made it impossible for them to do so with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves. The principle remains clear: No Pay, No Work.
“This struggle is more than just an ordinary industrial dispute. It highlights a broader societal injustice — a deliberate weakening of the public education system while the children of the elite attend private institutions both domestically and abroad.
“The children of workers and the less fortunate are left with an underfunded, demoralized system, perpetuating inequality and limiting social mobility. Quality education should not be a privilege for a select few, but a right for all.
“In this context, the Nigeria Labour Congress expresses its full solidarity with ASUU and all other unions within the tertiary education sector,” the statement concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the NLC opposing the “No Work, No Pay” policy?
The NLC believes that such intimidation will not resolve the ongoing crisis in public tertiary institutions and that the government should focus on improving public education instead.
What are the main concerns regarding Nigeria's public education system?
The main concerns include chronic underfunding, the government's failure to honor agreements with university lecturers, and the unequal access to quality education between the elite and the less privileged.
What does the NLC's solidarity with ASUU signify?
The NLC's solidarity with ASUU signifies a unified stance against the government's neglect of public education and a commitment to fighting for the rights of educators and students alike.
