The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, threatening to implement the no-work-no-pay policy following the union’s declaration of a comprehensive strike action.
Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, announced the government’s position in a statement released on Sunday night, expressing disappointment over what she described as ASUU’s lack of cooperation despite numerous efforts to prevent the industrial action.
“The Ministers further stressed that the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.
The ministry emphasised that dialogue remains the preferred approach to resolving the ongoing disagreements, stating that the government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.
However, the government made its position clear regarding the consequences of the strike action. “They, however, emphasised that the ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted in the nation’s universities,” the statement noted.
The ministry added that whilst the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it would not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources.
The statement sought to reassure Nigerian students, parents, and the general public that the Federal Government remains firmly committed to maintaining industrial harmony in the tertiary education system.
The ministers appealed to all academic unions to embrace partnership and dialogue rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of the nation’s higher education system.
They reiterated that the government’s education reform agenda is designed to enhance teaching and research conditions, promote institutional autonomy through strengthened university governance, and ensure that the academic community thrives in an environment of mutual respect, productivity, and innovation.
University lecturers had on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike commencing on Monday, 13th October.
ASUU’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in Lagos State University, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Additional demands include payment of outstanding 25-35 per cent salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years, and release of withheld third-party deductions comprising cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
