The Federal Government has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it will enforce the “no work, no pay” policy if university lecturers proceed with their planned warning strike starting Monday, October 13.
In a statement released on Sunday night by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, the government accused ASUU of failing to cooperate despite ongoing dialogue efforts to prevent industrial action.
“Dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements, and government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector,” the statement read.
The ministry, however, warned that it would not hesitate to apply the no-work-no-pay provision, describing it as an “extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,” the statement added.
The statement, issued on behalf of the Ministers of Education, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining industrial harmony within the nation’s tertiary institutions under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Federal Government reassures Nigerian students, parents, and the general public that it remains firmly committed to ensuring stability in the university system,” the ministry noted.
The government urged ASUU and other academic unions to “embrace partnership and dialogue rather than confrontation,” insisting that ongoing education reforms aim to enhance teaching and research conditions, promote institutional autonomy, and foster innovation.
Meanwhile, ASUU has announced a total and comprehensive warning strike beginning Monday, citing the government’s failure to honour key demands, including: Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, Release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, Sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, End to the victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO, and Payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears, and withheld third-party deductions
The standoff marks another tense chapter in the long-running dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government, raising fears of fresh disruptions to Nigeria’s academic calendar.
