Education Sector Crisis: Why NLC Has Given Fresh Ultimatum

The education sector crisis in entering a new phase, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) tabling fresh demands before the Federal Government.

The latest demand centres on the government resolving all lingering issues affecting the sector, or expect a nationwide workers’ protest.

The two sides are currently at a stalemate, in that while the Federal Government proposes a no work, no play rule, organised labour is harping on no pay, no work rule.

Affiliate unions on the Labour side include:

1. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
2. Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU),
3. Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU)
4. National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)
5. Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)
6. Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP)
7. Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI)
8. College of Education Staff Union, COESU, among others.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said:

“The NLC, after extensive deliberation with the unions in the tertiary institutions on finding solutions to the perennial problems in that sector, has resolved to work with the unions to find a lasting solution to the issues they have been facing all these years”.

READ ALSO: Disgruntled Learners Sue Virtual Education Company For Breach

READ ALSO: BPE Gives Reason For Prioritising Primary Education Sector Intervention

“We discovered that those government officials sent to meetings often go there without mandates.

“Henceforth, no trade union, whether in tertiary institutions or elsewhere, will go into any meeting with government representatives who lack authority to make binding commitments.

“You go and finish a negotiation, sign an agreement, and then go back to renege — never again”.

On moves to avert the education sector crisis, he mentioned Issues the unions agreed on to include:

1. Establishment of a framework for engagement on the implementation of existing agreements,
2. sustainable funding of education in line with UNESCO’s 25–26% budgetary recommendation
3. review of wage structures and allowances for academic and non-academic staff.

“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problem goes beyond one union. All other unions are equally involved.

“If after four weeks this negotiation is not concluded, the organs of the NLC will meet and take a nationwide action involving all workers and all unions in the country so that we get to the root of this crisis.”

“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 discovered that 90% of strikes in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements,” he said.

“You can’t refuse to honour agreements and then punish the other party. It’s a matter of cause and effect — those who cause the problem should bear the consequences. You can’t beat the child and ask the child not to cry.”

Many hint to a full blown impending education sector crisis except the Federal Government shows commitment.