FG ORDERS ENFORCEMENT OF ‘NO WORK, NO PAY’ AS ASUU BEGINS TWO-WEEK NATIONWIDE STRIKE

FG ORDERS ENFORCEMENT OF ‘NO WORK, NO PAY’ AS ASUU BEGINS TWO-WEEK NATIONWIDE STRIKE

— CONUA Seeks Protection to Continue Lectures

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced a two-week nationwide strike to press home its seven-point demands, even as the Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to implement the “no work, no pay” policy for striking lecturers.

The directive, contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was addressed to key education stakeholders, 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 National Universities Commission (NUC).

The government expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on another strike despite what it described as ongoing engagement efforts. “In line with existing labour regulations, any employee who fails to discharge official duties during a strike period will not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” Alausa stated.

The minister further directed all vice-chancellors to immediately conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff in their respective institutions and to submit detailed reports identifying those at work and those absent due to the strike. Salaries of staff who fail to work are to be withheld for the duration of the industrial action.

However, Alausa clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not participating in the strike, should continue to receive their full entitlements.

ASUU, in a statement released on Sunday, declared a total and comprehensive warning strike effective Monday, October 13. The union listed its demands to include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, revitalisation funding for public universities, payment of promotion arrears, and settlement of outstanding salary differentials, among others.

Meanwhile, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), University of Abuja Chapter, has sought protection from the university’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Matthew Adamu, to continue academic activities during the strike.

In a letter dated October 13, 2025, and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Abdul Buba, and Secretary, Prof. Issa Abdulraheem, the union reaffirmed its non-strike stance and requested that its members be shielded from any institutional harassment.

“Following nationwide congresses held between 18 and 24 September 2025, CONUA unanimously reaffirmed its non-strike policy as a matter of principle and responsibility. Consequently, members of CONUA should be regarded as not on strike and are expected to carry out their normal academic duties,” the letter stated.

CONUA urged the university management to ensure its members are “protected from any institutional onslaught or adverse treatment arising from their lawful decision to continue working.”