Ezekiel Awojide, Abuja
The Federal Government has warned members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities that they will not be paid for the period they go on their two-week warning strike.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, stated this in a press statement released on Sunday by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
Rather than go on strike, the ministers asked the lecturers to continue to dialogue with the government on their demands.
They said in their statement that, “The Federal Government has demonstrated sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the union.
“Virtually all the concerns raised by ASUU have been addressed, including the introduction of a substantial percentage of teaching allowance and significant improvements in the conditions of service of academic staff.
“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 government had met the deadline for presenting its position to the union as agreed, yet instead of reverting to the Ministry in continuation of dialogue, ASUU has chosen to proceed with strike action.
“This action does not reflect a spirit of cooperation or fairness to the students and the public, especially given the government’s demonstrable commitment and concrete steps already taken. “
“Dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements. Government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector, ” the ministers added.
