The Federal Government has issued a warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), threatening to enforce the “no-work-no-pay” policy following the union’s declaration of a nationwide warning strike.
In a statement released Sunday night by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, the government expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on industrial action despite ongoing efforts to resolve lingering issues.
“The Ministers stressed that the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement read.
The government reiterated that dialogue remains the preferred and sustainable path to resolving disputes and assured that it remains open to engagement with the union at any level.
However, it warned that the “no-work-no-pay” rule—an established provision in Nigerian labour law—would be enforced if ASUU’s strike leads to disruption of academic activities in public universities.
“While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,” the statement noted.
The ministry reassured students, parents, and the public of its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony in the university system and urged all academic unions to embrace dialogue over confrontation.
The statement further emphasized that the government’s ongoing education reform is aimed at:
- Enhancing teaching and research conditions
- Promoting institutional autonomy and governance
- Fostering an environment of mutual respect and innovation in academia
ASUU’s Demands
ASUU declared a comprehensive warning strike effective Monday, October 13, in protest against the government’s failure to address several unresolved issues. The union’s demands include:
- Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement
- Payment of withheld salaries (three and a half months)
- Revitalisation and sustainable funding of public universities
- End to victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO
- Payment of outstanding salary arrears (25%–35%)
- Payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years
- Release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union dues
ASUU insists that these issues are critical to the survival and improvement of public university education in Nigeria and must be addressed urgently.
