The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a strike action to President Bola Tinubu's administration, demanding the swift resolution of all outstanding disputes with various unions in the tertiary education sector. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a nationwide industrial action, with workers across all sectors joining in solidarity.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, declared this during an interactive session in Abuja, following a crucial meeting between the Congress and leaders of tertiary institution-based unions. Ajaero vehemently criticized the government’s approach to the ongoing crisis, particularly its handling of issues involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other campus unions. He condemned the implementation of the "no-work-no-pay" policy against ASUU members, branding it as punitive and counterproductive.

Ajaero emphasized that the NLC would no longer tolerate a pattern of unfulfilled promises and the intimidation of unions engaged in legitimate struggles. He explicitly stated, "The era of signing agreements, negotiations and threatening the unions involved, that era has come to an end." Furthermore, the NLC declared a new principle: "the policy, the so-called policy of no work, no pay, will henceforth be no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from an action you instigated." This stance is rooted in the NLC's observation that "most, 90% of strike actions in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements.”

To fortify a united front amidst the escalating paralysis of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the NLC recently convened an emergency meeting. This significant gathering brought together leadership from major academic and non-academic unions, including ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), among others. The primary aim was to harmonize union positions and devise lasting solutions to issues arising from "failed negotiations with the Federal Government."

Nigeria's higher education sector has been plagued by years of instability, with the most recent shutdown instigated by a nationwide ASUU strike. This threatened strike, which followed a 14-day ultimatum, was prompted by unresolved issues concerning staff welfare, infrastructure deficiencies, salary arrears, and the non-implementation of the long-standing 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement. The NLC reaffirmed its full solidarity with ASUU and other education unions, underscoring that the government's failure to honor its own agreements is the fundamental cause of the current industrial action. The Congress asserted that "The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars. The lecturers are willing to work, but the government, by reneging on its commitments, has made it impossible for them to do so with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves."

Highlighting the far-reaching implications of the crisis, the NLC warned that continued governmental inaction could further marginalize millions of young Nigerians, thereby creating an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality. The Congress stressed the vital importance of an educated populace for national progress. Reaffirming its unwavering commitment, the NLC declared, "The struggle of ASUU is our struggle. The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone," signaling a decisive escalation in support should the government fail to address the union's demands within the stipulated timeframe.