The Federal Government and labour unions clashed on Wednesday over the organisations’ insistence on carrying out their plans for the two days of national protests that are scheduled for July 26 and 27.
A total of 40 unions, including those representing the aviation industry, will march in support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, which has been on strike since February 14 and has forced the closure of public universities as a result of the government’s refusal to meet its demands.
The Nigeria Labour Congress responded that the protest would continue by citing the constitution’s guarantee of the right to protest, but the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, claimed that the protest was unlawful because the Nigeria Labour Congress had no open disputes with the government.
ASUU started a one-month warning strike on February 14 to press for the implementation of the agreement they struck with the FGN in October 2009.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Educational Institutions, the National Association of Academic Technologists, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities later joined the walkout.
The three-month strike would be prolonged for an additional three months, according to ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke’s announcement in May.
In response, Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, declared in March that the government had paid over N92 billion as part of the implementation of the December 2020 agreement reached with the union, including N40 billion for earned academic allowances for ASUU and other unions and N30 billion for university revitalization.
In order to rework the 2009 agreement with the varsity lecturers, the FG also formed a new team. The team was led by Prof. Nimi Briggs, provost of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo.
President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) requested the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Tuesday to terminate the five-month strike within two weeks and report back to him in order to hasten the resolution of the issue.
The NLC announced on July 17 that it will start a nationwide protest in support of ASUU in order to put pressure on the federal government to address the tertiary education issue.
However, after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Mohammed said that Congress was driven by partisan interests despite the fact that it was supposed to be “totally insulated from politics” in a statement to the media.
“The NLC is not a political party,” he stated. If the rights of NLC members are at stake, the NLC may go on strike or protest. The NLC’s plans for the coming days are all about generating interest. There is no disagreement between the NLC as a body and the Federal Government.
“Yes, there is an issue between some NLC, ASUU, and federal government members that is being investigated.” And the NLC is a member of the committee searching towards a solution.
“So, calling out people on the street to demonstrate; you begin to ask, what is the NLC’s motive in this matter?” But, as you can see, we do not question what the NLC is doing here. By its own rules, the NLC cannot even distribute brochures. And the NLC is meant to be politically apolitical.”
The NLC spokesman acknowledged the ultimatum from the education minister but asserted that nothing had occurred to alter the planned protest.
He continued, “If the administration wants to resolve this issue today, I can tell you that they can do so in three hours. Remember when airline operators prepared to go on strike, but were prevented from doing so within hours?
“In summary, nothing has occurred that would cause us to reconsider our recommended action.” All I know is that we’re continuing with our plan.”
In response to the claim that the protest was illegal, Upah stated that the minister should be concerned about the harm done to the education system by the prolonged strike.
“Freedom of expression and protest are within the ambit of the law and guaranteed by the constitution; so, he (minister) does not have the ability to abolish them,” he said.
“ASUU is one of the unions that comprise the NLC, and we are all aware that over the past six months or so, ASUU has had concerns with the government, which the administration has yet to settle.”
“No political sentiment, we are guided strictly by national interest,” Upah said, insisting that the union was not partisan. The minister of information should be aware that our children and wards have been absent from school for the previous six months, and the collateral damage is absolutely incalculable; it is mind-boggling.”
The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals’ Secretary General, Abdulrasaq Saidu, told The PUNCH over a call that the union’s solidarity strike will go on.
“We are compelled to follow with the NLC decision because we are a part of it, we are an affiliate of the NLC,” he said. The strike was called by the NLC’s national executive council, and it must be enforced. Only the national executive council may prevent it from taking place.
“Whatever Buhari stated is an afterthought because they have been there since ASUU went on strike—the ministers of education and labour as well.” The planned strike will be carried out by all NLC affiliates. We are cooperating with and carrying out the NLC’s instructions.”
ASUU President Osodeke told our correspondent in an interview that any Nigerian citizen had the right to protest, and that the NLC was not planning a march in support of ASUU because it was a member of the NLC.
“Every Nigerian citizen has the right to protest, especially on this topic that affects our children and future generations,” Osodeke stated. Nigerians have been far too quiet; given the state of Nigeria today, Nigerians should be on the streets protesting every day. The NLC will stage a protest and allow the police to arrest them.”
Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, national president of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, also referred the government to the relevant portions of the labour laws.
“Lai Mohammed misunderstood the topic because all university unions are NLC affiliates. The NLC has mobilised all unions, and it is not just the university; approximately 40 affiliates have joined the protest. He cannot state it is illegal on his own. Only an industrial court may declare it illegal,” Mohammed explained.
Mr Ibeji Nwokema, President of the National Association of Academic Technologists, stated, “We are an affiliate of the NLC. If we have negotiations with the government, we may request the NLC to come and be a part of it.” If there are problems, the NLC will step in; stating it is illegal is false.”
Mrs. Oyinkan Olasanoye, President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, stated, “Both the NLC and the TUC have called for a demonstration.” Certainly, every Nigerian who believes that education is critical to the country’s future would join the protest.”