Labour Union protesters
Academic and non-academic staff unions across Nigerian educational institutions have announced their participation in the nationwide indefinite strike set to begin on June 3.
This move, orchestrated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), aims to pressure the government into agreeing on a new minimum wage and reviewing recent electricity tariff hikes.
The strike call comes after labor unions and the federal government failed to reach an agreement on a new minimum wage. The current minimum wage of N30,000, established in 2019, is overdue for renegotiation.
Initially, labor unions demanded N600,000, but later adjusted their request to N494,000. The government, however, has proposed a much lower figure of N60,000, leading to a deadlock in negotiations.
Efforts to avert the strike have been unsuccessful. On Sunday night, leaders of the National Assembly met with union representatives to urge them to reconsider the strike.
Despite these discussions, the unions decided to proceed with their plans. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were involved in the last-minute talks, which ultimately failed to prevent the industrial action.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, declared the strike illegal and premature, arguing that the unions had not issued the required notice in compliance with the law.
Joining the strike are several key unions in the education sector, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the National Union of Teachers (NUT). These unions have directed their members to fully participate in the industrial action.
ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke emphasized the union’s commitment to the strike in a notice to branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators. “Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress. Consequently, Branch Chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action,” Osodeke stated.
SSANU, in a notice signed by its Senior Assistant General Secretary, Kingsley Okayi, also urged members to halt all work. “I am directed by the National President to request that you comply with the information by directing all SSANU members to liaise with their NLC State Chapter to ensure a comprehensive closure of the workplace with effect from Monday, 3rd June 2024, until further notice,” Okayi wrote.
The NUT, represented by Secretary General Mike Ene, directed state chairpersons, school principals, and teachers to ensure schools remain closed during the strike. “You are requested to sensitise and mobilise our members to fully join the strike action and ensure that on no condition should any school be allowed to open from Monday 3rd June 2024 till further notice,” Ene stated.
NAAT General Secretary Abubakar Yusuf instructed all branch chairmen and secretaries to coordinate with state LC councils to ensure full participation. “Zonal coordinators are hereby directed to monitor the active participation of all Branches in their zones and report to the National through the General Secretary,” Yusuf wrote.
As the strike looms, the federal government faces mounting pressure to find a resolution that addresses the demands of the labor unions and averts further disruption to the nation’s education system and broader economy.