The Federal Government has reiterated that the “No Work, No Pay” policy remains in force as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) begins a two-week warning strike across the country.
In a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the government emphasised that it would be guided by the existing labour law if academic activities are disrupted in public universities.
The statement noted that while the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility in its dealings with academic unions, it will not compromise fairness or accountability in the management of public resources.
It also reassured students, parents, and the general public of the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining industrial harmony in the nation’s tertiary education system. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, appealed to all academic unions to embrace dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of the sector.
ASUU’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the commencement of the two-week total and comprehensive strike at a press conference on Sunday at the University of Abuja. He explained that the union had given a 14-day notice—issued on September 28, 2025—but received no meaningful response from the relevant authorities.
According to Piwuna, all ASUU branches nationwide have been directed to withdraw their services beginning midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025, in line with resolutions reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Last week, the Federal Government had appealed to ASUU to suspend its planned strike, assuring that it remains committed to addressing the union’s outstanding demands.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee has been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track discussions with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
He added that President Bola Tinubu has given a clear directive that all necessary efforts must be made to prevent further disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
