The Federal Government has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it will enforce the “no work, no pay” policy if the union proceeds with its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday, October 13.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving ASUU’s grievances through continued dialogue.
“The Federal Government has demonstrated sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the Union,” the statement read.
According to the ministers, several of ASUU’s key demands — including increased teaching allowances and improved conditions of service — have already been addressed. They noted that other unresolved issues fall under the authority of university governing councils, which have been reconstituted to handle them.
“Despite these efforts, ASUU has opted for strike action. This action does not reflect a spirit of cooperation or fairness to the students and the public,” the ministers said, adding that the government had met its deadline for presenting its position.
They emphasized that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, maintaining academic stability remains a top national priority.
However, the statement also carried a strong warning:
“The ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted.”
The ministers urged ASUU to reconsider its decision and return to the negotiation table, stressing that the government remains open to meaningful engagement “at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.”
ASUU had earlier declared a total and comprehensive warning strike beginning Monday to protest what it described as the government’s neglect of its long-standing demands.
The union’s current demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Other demands are the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears exceeding four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
FG Warns ASUU Over Nationwide Strike, Threatens ‘No Work, No Pay’ Sanction
