Universities in Nigeria operate with people performing certain specialised complementary roles to make the system work. Workers e belong to one of several workers' associations (trade unions). Despite the apparently congenial industrial relations within the two university systems, dissatisfaction and disharmony have often emerged and developed from unsatisfied demands or unchecked exhibitions of managerial prerogative amongst the three existing unions, resulting in conflict and eventually leading to the disruption of academic activities. The study seeks empirical information about the impact of trade unions on university education in Nigeria. This is with a view to highlighting the problems and strengthening the relationship between labour and management in order to ensure that there is an atmosphere conducive to improved productivity.