The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy, in the aftermath of the two-week nationwide strike called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) .
This is coming as members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) have appealed to university authorities for protection to enable them to continue with lectures during the strike.
The Federal Government’s directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and addressed to key education stakeholders, including the Head of the 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).
The circular expressed the government’s disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on another strike despite ongoing engagement efforts, warning that disruptions to the academic calendar would no longer be tolerated.
“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,” Alausa stated.
The minister directed vice-chancellors to immediately conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff in their institutions, with detailed reports indicating those who are at work and those absent due to the strike.
Salaries of staff who fail to work are to be withheld for the duration of the industrial action.
He, however, clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not participating in the strike, should continue to receive their full entitlements.
ASUU had on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike for two weeks beginning Monday, October 13, to press home its seven-point demands.
These include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, revitalisation funding for public universities, payment of promotion arrears, and settlement of outstanding salary differentials, among others.
In a swift reaction, the Nigeria Labour Congress condemned the Federal Government’s moves to invoke the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking university lecturers, describing it as an act of intimidation that will not resolve the crisis in the nation’s tertiary education system.
In a statement signed on Monday by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities was a legitimate and necessary response to government’s persistent failure to honour collective agreements.
Ajaero said the Federal Government’s refusal to implement voluntarily signed agreements with lecturers and other workers in the education sector has continued to undermine public universities.
“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is a direct consequence of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements.
“This action is a necessary response to the neglect of a fundamental pillar of our society,” NLC said.
He faulted the government’s “No Work, No Pay,” moves insisting that it misrepresents the real situation.
“The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars.
“The lecturers are willing to work, but the government, by reneging on its commitments, has made it impossible for them to do so with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves,” Ajaero said.
The congress said the ongoing struggle transcends an industrial dispute, arguing that it exposes deeper inequalities within Nigeria’s education system.
It noted that while the children of the elite attend private or foreign institutions, those of ordinary citizens are left in an underfunded public system.
“This creates an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality,” the NLC noted, adding that an educated populace remains essential for national progress.
The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other unions in the tertiary education sector, calling on the Federal Government to immediately address the core issues raised in the agreements.
It also warned that the Congress would convene an emergency meeting with its affiliates if the government fails to respond after the two-week strike.
“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle.
“The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone,” the statement concluded.
