<p>Nigeria’s higher education system is characterized by frequent labor disputes between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which reflect deeper ideological issues regarding the funding, governance, and mission of public universities. With a focus on Target 4.3, which aims to ensure high-quality, affordable, and inclusive postsecondary education, this study examines the impact of these ongoing disputes on achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. Using a qualitative descriptive research design, the study examines strike occurrences from 1981 to 2022. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive research design, the study uses secondary data from academic literature, government documents, policy reports, and ASUU communiqués. The structural conflicts between the government and ASUU, as well as the systemic disruptions these strikes cause inside the educational sector, are explained using conflict theory and general systems theory. The results show that frequent strikes have caused disruptions to the academic calendar, reduced the quality of instruction and learning, and postponed students’ completion dates. They indirectly damage the school’s reputation and impose additional financial burdens on families and students. It suggests that to restore university stability and further Nigeria’s progress toward SDG 4.3, it is imperative that there be ongoing government-union interaction, stable financial structures, and increased institutional autonomy.</p>