By: Sunday Ameh
The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered all vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently participating in the nationwide strike.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. The memo, seen by Newsmen, was copied to key government officials 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 NUC.
Dr. Alausa expressed the government’s displeasure over the continued industrial action, noting that it violates existing labour laws. He instructed vice-chancellors to conduct an immediate roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff and submit a comprehensive report on those who are at work and those participating in the strike.
He further directed that salaries be withheld for lecturers who fail to perform their duties during the strike period, while members of other academic unions not involved in the strike — including CONUA and NAMDA — are to continue receiving their pay.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has also been tasked with monitoring compliance and submitting a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days.
ASUU had earlier declared a two-week warning strike beginning Monday, October 13, 2025, over issues including:
The renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement,
Release of withheld salaries,
Revitalisation funding for public universities, and
End to the alleged victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
The Education Minister emphasized that the directive must be implemented “with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest.”
Leave a Reply