The Nigerian government has reiterated its resolve to implement the “no work, no pay” policy as the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, began yesterday. It also directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to ensure full compliance with labour law.
The directive is contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and distributed 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.
In the circular, the government expressed disappointment over the union’s decision to embark on strike, despite ongoing engagement efforts.
The government warned that it would no longer condone 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.
Dr. Alausa equally directed vice-chancellors to immediately conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff in their institutions.
They are to compile detailed reports identifying those present and performing their duties 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.
The minister, however, clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics, CONUA and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA, who were not participating in the strike should continue to receive their full entitlements.
TruthVanta reports that as at the time of this report, The University of Jos, University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, EBSU, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, AE-FUNAI, Ebonyi, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta , FUNAAB, Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago – Iwoye, in Ogun State, Abia State University, ABSU, Utu, University of Calabar, UNICAL, the University of Cross River, UNICROSS, Members of ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU branch, have all suspended academic activities and joined in the strike.
However, In Bayero University Kano, BUK, it was gathered that the strike was partial as some students sitting for examinations were allowed to sit for their papers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has condemned the Federal Government’s threat to invoke the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking university lecturers, saying such intimidation would not resolve the crisis in the nation’s public tertiary institutions.
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