The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has renewed calls for the inclusion of private universities in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), stressing that the exclusion of academic staff in privately owned institutions from organised labour representation undermines collective bargaining and equity in the education sector.
The NLC leadership expressed concern that many private universities operate outside the framework of academic unionism, leading to disparities in working conditions, pay structure, and staff welfare. The congress maintained that the unification of all higher institutions under the same labour framework would ensure fairness, protect workers’ rights, and promote quality education across the country.
Labour experts have long argued that the proliferation of private universities, while increasing access to education, has also created regulatory gaps that expose staff to arbitrary employment terms. The NLC is expected to open consultations with the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the ASUU leadership to establish modalities for private institutions’ participation in the broader university labour structure.
Observers say the proposal could face resistance from university proprietors, but proponents insist it is a necessary step toward professionalising academic labour relations and strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
