The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to enforce the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who commenced a 14-day warning strike on Monday.
However, lecturers under the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) are exempted from the order, having declined to join the industrial action.
In a circular signed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and conveyed by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, vice-chancellors were instructed to take attendance of staff who report for duty and withhold the salaries of those participating in the strike.
The government expressed disappointment that ASUU proceeded with the strike “despite repeated appeals for dialogue,” describing the decision as counterproductive.
“In line with the Labour Laws, the Federal Government reiterates that no employee should receive pay for work not done,” the directive stated. It added that the National Universities Commission (NUC) would monitor compliance and submit a consolidated report within seven days.
Reports from universities such as Lagos (UNILAG), Ibadan (UI), Ilorin (UNILORIN), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) confirmed that lectures were suspended, while examinations were disrupted at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Jos (UNIJOS), and the Federal University Dutse.
Speaking on national television, Dr. Alausa insisted that the government had met most of ASUU’s demands, including payment of earned academic allowances, postgraduate supervision stipends, and funds for the Needs Assessment Scheme.
“The President approved ₦50 billion for earned allowances and ₦150 billion for Needs Assessment, part of which has already been released,” Alausa said. “We have also ensured that promotion arrears are included in the 2026 budget.”
He appealed to ASUU to suspend the strike, saying the government remains committed to fair and transparent engagement with labour unions.
But ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, dismissed the government’s stance, saying the union is not intimidated by threats of salary suspension.
“The government has not been sincere. We have written letters, held meetings, and made appeals without results. It is only when we go on strike that they respond,” Piwuna said, adding that the government’s offer of a 25 percent salary increase would not end the strike.
The union said it resorted to the warning strike after exhausting all avenues of dialogue over issues including funding for universities, earned allowances, and implementation of previous agreements.
