By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal Government has ordered vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately implement the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
The directive was issued in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. Copies of the circular were sent to top government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Pro-Chancellors of federal universities, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The ministry, in the circular, expressed disappointment over ASUU’s continued industrial action despite several appeals for dialogue, warning that the government would no longer tolerate violations of existing labour laws.
“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the statement read.
Dr. Alausa directed all vice-chancellors to carry out an immediate roll call and physical headcount of academic staff in their respective institutions and submit detailed reports indicating those performing their duties and those absent due to the strike.
He further instructed that the salaries of lecturers who fail to perform their official responsibilities during the strike should be withheld. 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, must not be penalised.
“The ministry expects full compliance with this directive,” Alausa emphasized, adding that the NUC should monitor the exercise and submit a consolidated compliance report to the ministry within seven days.
ASUU had on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike, effective Monday, October 13, to press home its demands. The union is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries and arrears, revitalisation funding for public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of its members in some institutions.
