ASUU Joins NLC & TUC to Embark on Nation Wide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in an indefinite nationwide strike starting from Monday, June 3, 2024. The decision to embark on this industrial action was made by the NLC and TUC after negotiations with the government over a new minimum wage for workers reached an impasse.

The organized labour had demanded a new minimum wage to address the economic challenges faced by workers, including the recent hike in electricity tariffs and the demand for a living wage. The NLC and TUC had also rejected a fresh offer of N60,000 from the federal government, which further heightened tension over a possible strike.

The strike is a result of the government’s unwillingness to address the issues raised by the organized labour, leading to a breakdown in negotiations. The NLC and TUC have stated that the strike will continue until a new minimum wage is in place, and the hike in electricity tariffs is reversed.

ASUU’s decision to join the strike is a significant development, as it means that academic and administrative activities in the nation’s universities and polytechnics will be paralyzed. This action is a demonstration of solidarity among Nigeria’s working class and a powerful show of unity in the ongoing labour struggles within the country.

The strike has also seen the participation of other labour unions, including the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, and the Federal Capital Territory High Court officials, among others. This widespread participation underscores the gravity of the issues at hand and the collective determination of the workers to press home their demands.

As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the nation will be on the outcomes of this collective action and the government’s response to the demands of the workers.