The Federal Government has announced the immediate enforcement of its ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy following the commencement of a two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over alleged unmet demands.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the policy takes effect from 12 a.m. Monday, stressing that the government has fulfilled nearly all of ASUU’s requests but that the union appears determined to disrupt academic activities.
“All the low-hanging issues, including academic allowances, arrears, and promotion backlogs, have been resolved. These have been mainstreamed into their salaries. We have also directed universities to pay supervision and research allowances,” Alausa told THISDAY.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approved a comprehensive teaching allowance scheme to enhance lecturers’ welfare and remuneration, describing ASUU’s decision to strike as “intransigent and unjustified.”
“The federal government is committed to keeping our children in school. ASUU, unfortunately, seems intent on doing the opposite. We will not tolerate any attempt to hold the education system hostage,” the minister stated.
FG Appeals for Dialogue, Warns Against Disruption
In a joint statement issued by Alausa and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, the government urged ASUU to reconsider its strike and embrace dialogue, describing ongoing engagement as “the most sustainable route” to resolving outstanding issues.
The ministers said the Tinubu administration’s latest offer addresses conditions of service, institutional governance, and staff welfare, noting that only matters under individual university governing councils remain pending.
“The government has approached this matter with sincerity and demonstrable commitment. However, ASUU’s decision to proceed with the strike despite pending offers undermines these efforts,” the statement read.
They reaffirmed that the principle of “No Work, No Pay” remains binding under Nigerian labour law and would be strictly implemented for the duration of the strike.
“While government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system,” the statement warned.
ASUU Defends Strike, Lists Seven Unmet Demands
ASUU National President, Chris Piwuna, confirmed that the warning strike — which began at midnight on Sunday — would be “total and comprehensive.”
He said the industrial action serves as a final warning for the federal government to meet the union’s demands or risk a more prolonged shutdown.
“This two-week warning strike should be seen as a window for government to act in good faith. If not, our next action will be total, and there will be no going back,” Piwuna declared.
The union listed seven key demands, including:
Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities.
Payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears.
Settlement of four-year promotion arrears.
Release of earned academic allowances.
Remittance of third-party deductions.
An end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members in LASU, KSU, and FUTO.
Piwuna accused the government of deception, saying its recent proposals were “hurriedly assembled” and failed to address the union’s core concerns.
Zonal Leaders Decry Brain Drain, Neglect of Universities
At a town hall meeting in Sokoto, ASUU’s zonal leaders lamented the government’s neglect of the university system.
Prof. Nurudeen Almustapha, Chair of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University branch, said Nigeria’s public universities are in crisis due to underfunding and poor staff welfare, leading to a massive brain drain.
“Over 309 professors have left Nigeria for countries like Saudi Arabia due to poor pay and conditions,” he said.
The union criticised the government’s continued establishment of new universities while existing ones remain underfunded.
CONUA, NAMDA Distance Themselves from Strike
Meanwhile, two academic unions — the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) — have disassociated themselves from the ASUU strike.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. ‘Niyi Sunmonu, CONUA reaffirmed its commitment to academic stability and constructive engagement, clarifying that it had no basis to declare a strike.
“Our members should continue their teaching, research, and administrative duties. Engagement, not disruption, remains the best path forward,” CONUA stated.
Similarly, NAMDA announced that it would not participate in the strike, urging its members to continue normal academic and clinical activities.
National Liaison Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Askira, said NAMDA has received assurances from the Minister of Education regarding its welfare demands.
“We expect Vice Chancellors to ensure a conducive environment for our members, who will remain at their duty posts. The ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule does not apply to NAMDA,” he said.
Both unions pledged continued cooperation with government efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s higher education system.
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