FG Orders VCs to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’ as ASUU Strike Grounds Universities Nationwide

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the “no work, no pay” policy as the two-week nationwide strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began on Monday.

In a circular dated October 13, 2025, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to ensure full compliance with existing labour laws and submit reports detailing staff attendance and participation during the strike.

The directive, addressed to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, pro-chancellors of federal universities, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), expressed government’s disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on industrial action despite ongoing negotiations.

“In line with existing labour regulations, any employee who fails to discharge official duties during a strike period will not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” the circular stated.

Dr. Alausa ordered university authorities to conduct physical headcounts of academic staff, listing those present and performing their duties, while ensuring that the salaries of absentees are withheld for the duration of the strike.

However, he clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the strike, should continue to receive their full pay.

ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike effective Monday, October 13, to demand the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation funding, promotion arrears, and settlement of salary differentials.

The Federal Government, however, insists most of these issues have been addressed, describing the strike as “unjustified and unnecessary.”

Strike Grounds Campuses Nationwide

Academic activities across universities have been paralyzed as lecturers comply with the strike directive.

At the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), most lecture halls were locked, with no visible teaching activities. Members of CONUA, however, claimed they continued classes.

Prof. Abdul Buba, CONUA chairman at UniAbuja, stated, “Our members are urged to continue performing their academic and administrative duties diligently. We remain committed to academic stability and constructive dialogue.”

In Jos, postgraduate students were left stranded as the University of Jos (UniJos) joined the warning strike.

Similarly, the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University (KWASU) confirmed participation after holding congress meetings.

“We are committed to the ideals of the strike, so we have joined,” said Dr. Alex Akanmu, ASUU chairman at Unilorin.
Dr. Abdulganiyu Salau of KWASU added, “We are part of the agreement of the national body. It was the declaration we made after our congress.”

In Ogun State, the strike crippled activities at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).

TASUED chairman, Dr. Adewale Ositoye, confirmed that his chapter had joined the industrial action.

Lecturers at Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) also downed tools.

“All academic activities are shut down pending further directives,” said Dr. Joseph Igwe, EBSU ASUU chair.

In Abia State, ASUU-ABSU chairman Dr. Chidi Mbah confirmed full compliance, saying, “We have fully joined the strike. There is no CONUA in ABSU.”

The situation was the same in Calabar, where UNICAL and UNICROSS lecturers joined the strike.

Prof. Peter Ubi, UNICAL ASUU chair, and Dr. Patrick Ushie of UNICROSS confirmed their participation.

At the University of Ibadan (UI), all lectures and administrative activities were suspended.

“There is full compliance with the directive from our national body,” said Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, ASUU chairman.

At Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), branch chairman Prof. Anthony Odiwe confirmed that members had also joined.

“It’s a collective decision; we are all facing the same humiliation from government,” he said.

Meanwhile, CONUA National Secretary, Prof. Henry Oripeloye, said its members continued with daily duties as students were yet to fully resume.

At Bayero University Kano (BUK), the strike began partially as some students sitting for exams were allowed to complete their papers.

NLC Warns FG: ‘No Work, No Pay’ Can’t Intimidate ASUU

Reacting to the government’s directive, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticised the “no work, no pay” policy, describing it as a threat that would not resolve the crisis.

“The continued refusal to implement voluntarily signed agreements is undermining public tertiary institutions,” said NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Rather than engaging in good faith, the government has resorted to unproductive threats. The strike is not defiance—it’s a legitimate response to years of neglect.”

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