In a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government reaffirmed its intention to implement the “no work, no pay” policy
By Afolabi Ayodele
The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to enforce full compliance with labour laws as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced a two-week warning strike on Monday.
In a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government reaffirmed its intention to implement the “no work, no pay” policy.
The document was distributed to key 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 circular expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to proceed with the strike, despite what it described as ongoing engagement efforts. It warned that the federal government would no longer tolerate disruptions to the academic calendar.
“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,” the circular stated.
Vice-chancellors were directed to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff, compiling detailed reports that distinguish between those reporting for duty and those absent due to the strike. Salaries of non-compliant staff are to be withheld for the duration of the industrial action.
However, the minister noted 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 pay.
ASUU declared the strike on Sunday, October 12, citing unmet demands, including the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, the release of withheld salaries, revitalisation funding for public universities, payment of promotion arrears, and settlement of outstanding salary differentials.
The federal government insists that most of these issues have been addressed, describing the strike as unjustified. Despite this stance, academic activities have been grounded in several universities across the country.
Institutions such as the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Kwara State University have fully complied with the strike directive.
At the University of Ilorin, ASUU chairman Dr. Alex Akanmu confirmed the institution’s participation, stating: “We are committed to the ideals of the strike, so we have joined the nationwide action.”
His counterpart at Kwara State University, Dr. Abdulganiyu Salau, also confirmed the union’s decision to join the strike following a congress held on Monday.
At the University of Ibadan, lectures and related activities were suspended, with lecture halls and offices locked and the campus largely deserted. ASUU chairman Dr. Adefemi Afolabi confirmed full compliance, stating that the strike commenced at midnight on Sunday and would continue until further notice.
Obafemi Awolowo University also joined the strike. ASUU branch chairman, Professor Anthony Odiwe, said the branch domesticated the action by noon on Monday. He noted that compliance was expected across the board, given the shared grievances among members.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of CONUA, Professor Henry Oripeloye, stated that their members were not part of the strike and were attending to their duties, although academic activities had not fully resumed due to low student turnout.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the Federal Government’s warning to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy. NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the government’s stance as unhelpful and said it would not resolve the crisis in the public university system.
“The continued refusal to implement voluntarily signed agreements is undermining public tertiary institutions and eroding confidence in the system,” Ajaero said. “The strike is not an act of defiance but a legitimate response to years of neglect and unfulfilled promises. Rather than engage in meaningful dialogue, the government is resorting to threats, which is counterproductive.”
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