Kano NLC Declares ASUSS “Not a Recognised Trade Union,” Vows Action Over Illegal Levy Deductions
The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) is not a legally recognised trade union and has threatened to take action over what it described as unlawful deductions from secondary school teachers’ salaries.
Speaking on the issue, the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, stated that the levies being deducted from teachers under the name of ASUSS are illegal and unjust, as they are not authorised by the affected workers.
“The levies being deducted by ASUSS from teachers’ salaries are unlawful and constitute exploitation. We strongly condemn the practice of deducting money from teachers without their consent,” Inuwa said.
He further explained that ASUSS does not have official registration as a trade union from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, nor is it affiliated with the NLC. According to him, this disqualifies the group from operating as a legitimate labour union.
Inuwa also addressed the controversy surrounding ASUSS’s participation in previous May Day activities, noting that the award presented to the group for first position during the 2025 Workers’ Day parade was given in error.
“The recognition given to ASUSS during the 2025 May Day parade was not in line with established procedures. It was a mistake. ASUSS is not among the NLC’s affiliated unions,” he said.
He added that ASUSS was only allowed to participate in the parade out of goodwill by both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), not because it met the criteria for affiliation.
“Even the trophy awarded in 2025 belongs solely to the NLC. However, because ASUSS was not recognised in the 2026 parade, its state chairman resorted to insulting and attacking us on social media,” he added.
The NLC chairman reiterated that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) remains the only recognised union representing both primary and secondary school teachers, stressing that ASUSS lacks the legal backing to operate as a teachers’ union.
He further alleged that because ASUSS is not a registered trade union, it is not entitled to union dues, which he claims has led the group to adopt “illegal means” of collecting money from teachers in the form of levies.
Comrade Inuwa concluded by stating that the NLC would take decisive action against both the leadership and the organisation of ASUSS over the alleged unauthorised deductions.
“There is no teacher who has formally consented in writing to these deductions. We will not allow this illegality to continue,” he said.
Source: Baba Comrade E-Magazine
