Labour relations conflict in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria: management and options

Abstract

Conflicts in labour relations have become prevalent in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and have had profound implications for effective administration of higher education. The adverse consequence of conflict in tertiary institutions in most cases involving organised labour unions and federal and state governments make the understanding of issues bothering on conflict theories, causes and management very imperative. The recognition of these conflict parameters would assist educational managers at the tertiary level rise to the challenge of issues that are conflictual in labour relations. The paper concludes that in order to realise the goals of higher education in Nigeria, organised labour unions within the higher education system and the government should recognise conflict potentials and deliberately make concerted efforts to minimise its negative consequences.