Frank Tietie, a lawyer and legal analyst, has expressed his deep concern over the continued strike actions by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
During an appearance on Arise News on Tuesday, Tietie lamented that the issues plaguing Nigerian universities today mirror those from decades ago, particularly referencing his experiences as a student in the early 1990s.
Tietie emphasized that while Nigeria’s legal framework, specifically the Trade Union Act, outrightly bans strike actions by workers in essential services such as education, the persistent government neglect of workers’ grievances has fostered a cycle of strikes.
He pointed out that the government’s attitude towards workers is influenced by an underlying belief that employment is a form of social security, and therefore, workers should be grateful for having jobs rather than pressing for improved conditions.
He described the frequent resort to strikes as an “abuse of the weapon of strike,” criticizing unions for bypassing legal channels such as mediation and arbitration. According to Tietie, the combative nature of strike actions in Nigeria often creates a tense atmosphere that threatens the country’s national security and economy.
“Strikes should be the last resort. Instead of being outrightly combative, unions should exhaust legal procedures, including engaging the minister of labor, mediators, and industrial courts before taking drastic actions,” Tietie stated.
Tietie also expressed concern over the lack of accountability for union actions, noting that unions sometimes fail to consider the wider impact of their strikes on the public, particularly students and parents.
He criticized the language used by unions, which he described as forceful and subversive, and called for a more conciliatory approach to resolving labor disputes.
Reflecting on the broader implications of strikes, Tietie argued that the misuse of strike actions not only disrupts critical sectors such as education and electricity but also undermines national stability.
He called on the government to take workers’ demands seriously and fulfill its obligations, while also urging unions to adhere to legal procedures and avoid actions that jeopardize the public interest.
Tietie concluded by advocating for more efficient dispute resolution processes, emphasizing the importance of engaging with the legal framework to resolve labor issues.
“There is a need for understanding between the government and unions, but the resolution lies in allowing the processes of dispute resolution to take place. The mentality of using strike as a primary weapon must change,” he stated.