The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by President Joe Ajaero, has called on private universities to affiliate with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The plea came during a virtual session of the Toyin Falola Interview Series, where Ajaero spoke alongside ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna.
Ajaero argued that formal unionisation of private institutions would bolster the collective voice of academic staff across Nigeria, noting that private universities have largely remained insulated from ASUU’s industrial actions. He also condemned what he described as “incessant harassment” of ASUU members by the government and questioned why agreements reached since 2009 have not been honored.
According to Ajaero, private universities were initially established to undermine ASUU’s influence and weaken labour unity in tertiary education. He urged a coordinated effort among all university unions to harmonize their demands, with the aim of presenting a united front to the government.
Speaking at the same event, ASUU President Piwuna emphasized that true university autonomy depends on staff having adequate resources and infrastructure. He dismissed criticisms that ASUU is self-serving, insisting that its members endure significant pressure while advocating for the improvement of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
This call for private sector unionisation comes amid ongoing disputes between ASUU and the government. The NLC has strongly backed ASUU’s right to strike, denouncing government threats of “No Work, No Pay” and warning that such policies will not resolve the long-standing crisis.
