The Federal Government has instructed Vice Chancellors of Federal universities to enforce the “no work, no pay” rule on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who Monday began a two-week warning strike over authorities’ failure to fulfil past commitments.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) dismissed the Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” directive, insisting that the union would not be intimidated by, nor yield, to such threats.
GOVERNMENT ORDERS VC’S TO ENFORCE NO-WORK-NO-PAY POLICY
The government order to withhold salaries came in a circular dated today 13th October 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
According to the circular, the Federal Ministry of Education expressed dissatisfaction over reports of the continued industrial action by ASUU despite repeated calls for dialogue, stressing that the government would no longer tolerate non-compliance with extant labour laws.
‘In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action’, the circular reads.
The Minister directed all Vice Chancellors of Federal universities to immediately conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in their institutions.
He also instructed them to submit a comprehensive report indicating staff members who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike.
Alausa further directed that salary payment for the period of work stoppage be withheld from those who fail to perform their duties.
He clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, who are not part of the strike, are exempted from the directive and would not face any salary deductions.
The Minister also tasked the NUC to monitor compliance with the directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of receiving the circular.
‘Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest’, Alausa urged the university heads.
The Federal Government had warned the lecturers that it would enforce the “no work, no pay” policy amid the ongoing nationwide strike by the lecturers.
On Sunday ASUU declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, 13 October.
ASUU is demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in Lagos State University, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).
ASUU DIGS IN, SAYS INTIMIDATION WILL NOT END STRIKE
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, stated this on Monday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s current affairs programme ‘Politics Today.’
He said the union remained united and would not succumb to what he described as the government’s attempt to divide the academic community.
“We don’t respond to threats, and nobody can threaten us,” Piwuna said.
ASUU President Piwuna maintained that all academic bodies, such as the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), were standing together in support of the strike action.
Piwuna said: “He is threatening us, writing to NAMDA and CONUA, telling them they can get their salaries. He wants to divide us, but we are united in this matter.
“CONUA is with us, NAMDA is with us, SSANU is with us, NASU is with us. The polytechnics and colleges of education are also with us,” he said.
The ASUU President advised the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to focus on resolving the ongoing dispute instead of issuing threats.
“He has got something coming. He had better sit down and solve this problem or he will fail in trying to divide us,” Piwuna added.
Piwuna also hinted that the union remained open to dialogue and was ready to engage with the Federal Government.
“Today, I received a call from the Minister of State for Labour. She said she has been directed to intervene and get this matter resolved. ASUU is willing. We are ready and available to discuss this matter once and for all,” the ASUU President added.
