Organised labour has warned that it may embark on a nationwide shutdown if the worsening wave of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across the country is not checked.

The warning was said to have been issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at a joint briefing at the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

They said the security crisis had become a direct threat to the safety, livelihoods and productivity of the Nigerian workers.

The unions say that workers across the country are increasingly bearing insecurity.

Many Nigerians can no longer travel safely, conduct business or carry out daily activities without fear of attacks, they said.

Labour leaders cautioned that Nigeria cannot attain meaningful economic growth or better workers’ welfare if communities continue to come under siege from armed groups and criminal networks.

The NLC and TUC said organised labour would not rule out industrial action if the authorities failed to demonstrate stronger commitment to protecting lives and property.

They called on the federal and state governments to put security and economic stability first.

The unions warned that if workers’ growing concerns were not addressed, it could lead to a stronger response from organised labour.

Labour Disagrees With ₦100,000 Salary Demand
The labour centres also debunked reports that talks were ongoing on a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage.

They said some state governors’ claims were misleading.

NLC and TUC officials said the reports do not reflect the current state of engagements on workers’ welfare and remuneration.

They said no agreement had been reached on such a sum.

The post NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Rising Insecurity appeared first on TheNigerian.

Teachers in public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State on Monday began an indefinite strike to protest the kidnap of teachers and pupils of three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

Armed men attacked Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School, both in Ahoro- Esinele and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, near Ogbomoso, where pupils and teachers were abducted and two persons killed, the News Agency of Nigeria reports on May 15.

The NUT, Oyo State Wing, in the wake of the incident, ordered teachers in the state to proceed on an indefinite strike to commence on June 1.

Our NAN correspondent who monitored the strike in public schools in Ibadan reports full compliance with the indefinite strike.

Among the schools visited were Anglican Junior Secondary School, Orita-Mefa; St. Patrick Secondary School, Bashorun; St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola; Oba Akinbiyi Model School; and St. Brigid’s School, Mokola.

NAN said many students came to their schools as early as 7.45 a.m. but were turned back and told to go home.

NAN also reported that only candidates writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and teachers on invigilation duties were allowed into the school premises.

One of the teachers, Mrs Yemisi Alao, told NAN that staff members in her school had been advised not to report for duty in obedience to the union’s directive.

‘We are all in unity with the affected teachers, pupils and their families who are complying. “We pray for the kidnapped victims to be released and come home safe,” she said.

Another teacher, Mrs Tayo Olutayo, said that both students and teachers had been well informed about the industrial action before it.

“Only the WAEC candidates and teachers involved in the examination process are expected to be in school,” she said.

There were also reports from other parts of the state, such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa and Igboora in Ibarapa that the strike by teachers in public primary and secondary schools was fully observed.

The post Oyo NUT Strike Records Full Compliance, WAEC Candidates Exempted Amid Abduction Concerns appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has agreed to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike it embarked upon on April 30.

It was reported that the unions had decided to suspend their strike action after a meeting with the Expanded Renegotiation Committee of the Federal Government on Tuesday.

The strike is being suspended to allow the committee get the approval of President, Bola Tinubu, for any further review of the government’s earlier offer, the JAC explained.

The statement, signed by the JAC Chairman and National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim and the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, wrote a circular to all branch chairmen on the suspension of the strike from Monday, May 11.

The circular, titled ‘Update on Strike Action’, read: “Following the strike action which commenced on Friday, 1st May, 2026, JAC of NASU and SSANU has been engaged in a series of meetings with government officials on the demands of our members vis-à-vis the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.

The leadership of JAC had yet another crucial meeting today, Tuesday, 5th May, 2026 with the FGN Expanded Renegotiation Committee led by its Chairman, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.

“The committee observed the need to get the approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on any further review of the government’s earlier offer after thorough deliberations.

“The leadership of JAC took into consideration the impassioned appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike action and also secured a promise from the FGN Expanded Renegotiation Committee that all renegotiations, including a revised offer of the CONTTA, shall be concluded within two (2) weeks from the date of the suspension of the strike.

“Branch leaders are hereby urged to take note of this appeal and hold congresses to report the above, for a suspension of the strike effective Monday, 11th May, 2026, while other engagements with relevant stakeholders continue.

“Enclosed are the appeal letters of the Expanded Tertiary Institutions Renegotiation Committee and the letter of withdrawal of the 30% increase in CONTTA.

“We want to express JAC leadership’s deep appreciation to our members for the total compliance being experienced”.

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Yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) disrupted operations at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) headquarters in Abuja by protesting the contentious disengagement of about 900 employees.

Additionally, it gave the company’s management a 48-hour deadline to resolve the issue or face an operational halt.

The labor movement, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, its president, accused AEDC of carrying out the mass sack under false pretenses, calling it “the height of deceit” and setting a risky precedent in Nigeria’s already unstable electricity sector.

According to Ajaero, the crisis began roughly six months ago when AEDC management stated that only employees who had achieved retirement age or were about to do so would be impacted by the disengagement.

Based on such understanding, the union intervened at that time. He stated, “No responsible labor leader would oppose the departure of workers who have rightfully reached retirement age.”

But he said that the union’s investigations turned up an entirely different picture.

Most of those impacted weren’t old enough to retire. Some had served for as little as five or six years. Many had actually just been employed for two or three years. “That is the pinnacle of dishonesty,” he said.

He claims that despite numerous engagements through zonal consultative sessions, AEDC had pledged to review the exercise, but six months later, nothing has been done.

The fact that other distribution corporations are starting to imitate this trend is even more concerning.

Ajaero cautioned, “That sends a very dangerous signal across the power sector.”

Protest is sparked by MD’s absence. When NLC representatives showed up for a planned meeting with management at the AEDC headquarters and found that the Managing Director was not present, tensions increased.

“The MD wasn’t seated when we arrived for the meeting. According to Ajaero, “even the zonal level engagements have been handled in a very lukewarm manner.”

The NLC promptly called off the meeting, stating that the problem “goes beyond a zonal matter to a national concern,” and instructed employees to wait for further instructions.

Staff started to leave their offices in accordance with labor’s direction while union members mobilized throughout the building, thereby interfering with business operations.

AEDC management was given a harsh 48-hour deadline by the NLC President to address the issue or risk intensified industrial action that might severely disrupt the Federal Capital Territory’s electrical supply.

“We cannot guarantee power supply if nothing is done within that time.” The people who maintain the system will remain at home, and the system will inevitably be impacted if they are not working, he cautioned.

If the corporation doesn’t reply, he said, the action would be expanded beyond Abuja to other AEDC operating zones.

“This won’t end here. Every AEDC station will be impacted. Until this issue is resolved, operations will be suspended, he declared.

“Power Sector Becoming Lawless”: Ajaero took use of the occasion to offer a biting indictment of Nigeria’s electricity industry, charging businesses with abusing customers and breaking labor regulations.

Nearly 90% of electricity bills in Abuja are predicted today, yet there is no matching supply. He claimed that a system that encourages inefficiency is exploiting Nigerians.

Additionally, he criticized the banding system, claiming that it exacerbates inequalities in access to power while providing an unfair advantage to some distribution corporations, such as AEDC.

In addition to distribution corporations, the NLC leader attacked power producing companies, accusing them of ignoring their responsibilities and requesting large government bailouts.

For what is essentially darkness, some of them are requesting around ₦6 trillion. They are also withholding more than ₦5 billion in union dues that date back to 2012. He asked, “How do you demand trillions when you can’t fulfill your own obligations?”

“Labor laws must be followed by employers.” Ajaero cautioned that further industrial unrest could result if firms in the industry continuing to ignore labor laws.

He declared, “You cannot expect protection from the same system you disregard if you do not obey labor laws.”

Despite having a unionized staff at the time of privatization, he accused some power sector operators of purposefully undermining workers’ rights.

“They entered a system where employees already had rights and protections, and now their primary goal is to dehumanize those employees.” They should reconsider,” he continued.

Transparency and justice are demanded by the union. In order to allow for public scrutiny, the NLC is requesting that AEDC publish the whole list of disengaged employees, including their years of service and the grounds behind their termination.

Ajaero stated, “Let Nigerians see whether the union is being unfair or whether management acted unjustly.”

He also voiced worries about the company’s unsolved staff welfare issues, bad working conditions, and lack of promotions.

He claims that the situation has gotten worse due to protracted and fruitless dialogue.

“What we are witnessing is a policy of constant communication—talks that never cease and are never put into practice. He declared, “That has no place in industrial relations.”

“Day of Reckoning.” Ajaero concluded with a stern statement, stating that the union would no longer put up with what he called structural injustice in the industry.

“It appears that AEDC’s management believes they can dribble everyone and people will forget.” However, it is a day of reckoning, he declared.

Unresolved labor concerns do not go away; rather, they reappear, frequently with more serious repercussions, as history has demonstrated. Time is of the essence.

He called for “bumper-to-bumper unionism” and urged workers to stay alert and together.

“Justice has to be served. He said, “Those who were wrongfully fired and are suffering at home need to have their cases reviewed within the legal framework.”

“As a union, we are not requesting anything that is not permitted by law. However, we will feel that justice has been done if the law is obeyed.

The post NLC Pickets AEDC Hotels Over 900 Job Cuts, Gives 48-Hour Ultimatum appeared first on TheNigerian.

If professors’ pay are not fully implemented in accordance with the 2025 agreement by the end of March, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to take legal action.

In an interview with TheCable, ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna issued the warning, stating that the union demands full payment of wages, including all agreed-upon allowances, by the end of the month.

Piwuna confirmed that, contrary to popular belief, the union did not issue a four-day ultimatum.

He claimed that ASUU just cited the remaining days of March as a fair time frame for the government to abide by the terms of the agreement.

He pointed out that before taking any industrial action, the union adheres to established protocols.

The president of ASUU clarified that while certain salary changes had been reported by academics since January, the agreement’s implementation was yet unfinished.

He claimed that payments to federal institutions had not yet properly reflected a number of the agreement’s provisions.

He claims that the gaps especially impact visiting and sabbatical lecturers, many of whom are not fully compensated because of financial limitations at host universities.

Piwuna further revealed that important components that were supposed to be included in salaries, including the Earned Academic Allowances, had not been paid in full.

The union is demanding complete adherence to the December 2025 deal with the Federal Government.

The deal includes increased welfare benefits for academic workers, an improved compensation structure, and a 40% increase in allowances.

Piwuna also attributed the financial difficulties facing universities on the national budget’s passage delays.

In advance of the federal elections in 2027, he charged that the administration was turning its focus to political activity.

He declared, “We are sick of waiting. The full implementation of the 2025 agreement is in our own best interests.”

The head of ASUU stated that in addition to salaries, the agreement calls for the creation of a National Research Council, better benchmarks for education spending, and a N30 billion stabilization fund that will be distributed over three years to help universities with their financial deficiencies.

He bemoaned the poor progress made on these promises, though.

He claims that there is little proof that the government is taking decisive action to achieve predetermined goals, such as gradually raising education spending to 25% of the national budget.

Piwuna cautioned that if the government does not carry out the deal completely, ASUU will not think twice about taking action.

“The union will respond in accordance with its established procedures if the government fails to ensure full payment of salaries and implementation of the agreement by the end of March,” he declared.

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