Abuja:The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Festus Osifo, has pledged the union’s continued support for the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) in its quest for official recognition as a registered trade union in Nigeria. This announcement was made during the 1st National Celebration of World Teachers’ Day and the 3rd Annual National Leadership Workshop.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, ASUSS has been striving to separate from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and gain recognition as an independent entity. This effort, which began when ASUSS was initially founded as the Conference of Secondary School Tutors in the late 1990s, remains one of the longest-running unionization disputes in Nigerian educational history.
The TUC president described the ongoing struggle as ‘a work in progress,’ emphasizing that the TUC is working closely with ASUSS to overcome administrative hurdles. He highlighted the unique needs of secondary school teachers and their important role in educating children, stating that ASUSS has long championed these issues.
Mr. Osifo also emphasized the importance of investing in teachers to improve the nation’s educational system. He drew comparisons with countries like Finland, where teachers receive better compensation and support, underscoring the need for Nigeria to similarly prioritize educators.
He further addressed the economic challenges facing Nigerian workers, noting the disparity between wages and the rising cost of living. The TUC, he assured, is committed to advocating for improved wages and working conditions for all workers in the country, continuing to push for necessary changes.