ASUU Strike: NLC Begins Massive Solidarity Protest In Lagos

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun its solidarity strike with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

It is understood reports that NLC members, other unions, and civil society groups have gathered under the Ikeja bridge to begin the protest.

As of the filing of this report, vehicular movements have been disrupted and business activities around the area have been shut down over fear of attack.

Recall that the NLC had in a statement on July 17 announced a protest to force the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve their issues and suspend the lingering strike.

The NLC, which said the protest would take place in all 36 states and the FCT, faulted the Federal Government over its handling of the industrial actions that have grounded activities in public institutions.

It also called on the government to pay the salaries of the striking workers, which it said had since “been frozen on the premise of the so-called ‘no work-no pay’ policy”.

The NLC asked the government to immediately conclude the ongoing negotiations with unions and implement the agreement arising from the negotiations in a bid to ensure public universities resume normal activities.

ASUU-FG Faceoff

ASUU had shut all public universities and commenced its ongoing strike on February 14, after the FG failed to meet some of its demands

The demands are the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution platform for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers.