The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday joined the nationwide industrial action called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to demand a raise in minimum wage from the current N30,000 to N400,000.
A series of negotiation meetings held between the Federal Government and labour leaders failed to reach an agreement, forcing the umbrella bodies of workers’ unions to ask them to proceed on strike on Monday.
A last minute’s move by the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, on Sunday night could also not get organised labour to shift its ground.
In a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of ASUU, its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.
The letter reads partly, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, June 3, 2024, as a result of the failure of the government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.
“Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress.
“Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle.”
It is unclear how long the latest industrial dispute will end.
