BREAKING: NLC Threatens Nationwide Strike, Backs ASUU Over ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy

• The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government against threatening ASUU with its ‘no work, no pay’ policy, saying the entire Nigerian workforce may be mobilised for a nationwide shutdown if the dispute is not resolved within two weeks.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, urging it to withdraw its threat to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) amid the union’s ongoing two-week warning strike.

In a statement released on Monday by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the labour body condemned what it described as a “counterproductive and insensitive approach” by the government toward resolving the lingering crisis in Nigeria’s university system.

Mr. Ajaero warned that if the government failed to use the two-week window to address ASUU’s demands, the NLC would mobilise workers across all sectors — including critical ones — to “paralyse the economy.”

“ASUU’s struggle is not a fight of university teachers alone but a fight for Nigeria’s future,” Ajaero said. “Any attempt by the government to invoke no work, no pay will be met with stiff resistance.”

The NLC leader criticised the widening gap between Nigeria’s elite and working-class citizens, accusing the government of weakening public education while the children of the privileged attend private universities or study abroad.

“This creates an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality,” Ajaero added. “An educated populace is essential for a progressive nation, yet quality education is fast becoming a commodity reserved for the privileged few.”

DON’T MISS: BREAKING: FG Orders ‘No-Work, No-Pay’ for Striking ASUU Lecturers

The ASUU two-week total and comprehensive strike, according to reports, was declared over the government’s failure to implement previous agreements covering funding, salaries, earned allowances, and university autonomy.

The Federal Government, relying on sections of Nigeria’s Labour Law and Constitution, had earlier threatened to apply the ‘no work, no pay’ rule if lecturers carried out the industrial action.

In response, Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC’s solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary unions, saying the Congress would not allow them to face the government’s actions alone.

“The NLC hereby declares its full solidarity with ASUU and all unions in the tertiary education sector. If, after this two-week warning strike, the government remains unresponsive, we will not stand idly by,” he said.

Ajaero further disclosed that the NLC would convene an emergency meeting with all affiliated unions to develop a nationwide mobilisation plan if the government fails to act within the stipulated period.

“The choice is clear,” he warned. “Honour the agreements and salvage public education, or face the resolute and unified force of the Nigerian workforce.”