Dare Babalola
The Federal Government has ordered vice-chancellors of federal universities to strictly enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) participating in the ongoing nationwide strike, effective immediately.
This directive, signed by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, requires universities to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts to identify staff members who are present and working versus those participating in the strike.
The circular, dated October 13, 2025, was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
The Federal Ministry of Education has expressed strong disapproval over ASUU’s persistent industrial action, despite multiple pleas for negotiation, warning that the government will no longer condone disregard for existing labor laws.
“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the circular reads.
The Minister has instructed all federal university vice-chancellors to conduct an immediate roll call and physical headcount of academic staff to identify those participating in the ongoing strike and those who are working.
Additionally, the vice-chancellors are required to submit a detailed report to the ministry, clearly identifying staff members who are present and fulfilling their duties, as well as those who are absent or participating in the industrial action.
Alausa also ordered that salaries be withheld for the duration of the strike from staff members who fail to perform their duties, as part of the “no work, no pay” policy enforcement.
The Minister clarified that the policy does not apply to members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), as they are not participating in the strike, and assured that they will receive their full salaries without deductions.
He also tasked the NUC to monitor compliance with the directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of receiving the circular.
“Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” Alausa urged the university heads.
Recall that the federal government had threatened to enforce the policy amid the ongoing nationwide strike by the lecturers.
The lecturers on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13.
ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).
