KEY POINTS
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FG directs the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking ASUU members.
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Alausa orders a roll call and staff verification in all federal universities.
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Government insists it will not fund salaries during the ongoing strike.
The Federal Government has ordered vice-chancellors of all federal universities to immediately implement the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who are participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
The directive, dated October 13, 2025, was contained in an official circular signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. Copies were sent to key officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Accountant-General, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
FG insists on ASUU no work no pay policy
In the circular, the Education Ministry expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to continue its strike despite multiple appeals for dialogue. It said the government would not tolerate further breaches of labour law and restated its stance on enforcing the ASUU no work, no pay policy for all employees who fail to perform official duties during the strike period.
“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 official duties during strike action,” the circular stated.
Alausa instructed vice-chancellors to immediately conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff within their institutions. The exercise, he said, should identify lecturers present and performing duties as well as those absent because of the strike.
Compliance and monitoring by the NUC
The minister ordered the suspension of salary payments to any lecturer who does not perform official responsibilities during the industrial action. However, he clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) should not be penalised, as they are not participating in the strike.
He directed the NUC to monitor the implementation of the directive and submit a consolidated compliance report within seven days. “Please treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in the national interest,” Alausa said in the memo.
ASUU had on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike across public universities. The union’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries and arrears, release of revitalisation funds for universities, and an end to alleged victimisation of members in some institutions.
The government’s firm stance signals another tense phase in the long-running dispute between ASUU and federal authorities over labour rights, university funding, and accountability in Nigeria’s higher education system.
