The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday disclosed that the congress will embark on a three-day solidarity strike with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This came less than a week to the end of its 21 days’ ultimatum given to the federal government to resolve the lingering industrial dispute in the educational sector.
The ultimatum which was issued on April 13, 2022, will expire next weekend.
However, NLC national president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who addressed workers at a rally ahead of forthcoming Workers’ Day in Abuja, said the congress Central Working Committee has given the nod to embark on a three-day nationwide strike to support reformation of Nigeria’s university system.
Wabba said the congress still awaits the federal government to set up a high-power panel with requisite mandates to resolve foregoing issues militating against industrial harmony in Nigeria’s university system before the elapse of the ultimatum.
He said, “The Central Working Committee agreed that we stand on the 21-day ultimatum and at the end of the elapse, we expect that a high-power panel will be constituted to resolve ASUU issues once and for all and that in-between the 21 days’ notice, there will be a one-day national protest to speak essentially on the issue of the totality of the education system in Nigeria to save the lives of every Nigerian child and that of every Nigerian citizen and ensuring that the children of the poor become something in Nigeria.”
He said the best way to address poverty is to give quality education to the children of the poor so that they will not be manipulated to join terrorism, used as political thugs or become bad citizens.
“Next in line after the expiration of the 21 days’ notice is if nothing is done, there will be a three-day strike by all our structures across the length and breadth of this country because we thought education is a foundation of development everywhere in the world and our universities system needs to be given proper attention,” he added.