By Anita John 
ABUJA, Oct 12 – The Federal Government has warned that the “no work, no pay” policy will be activated for university lecturers if members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) go on strike over unresolved demands.
- Government says “no work, no pay” law will be enforced if universities are shut
- Ministers urge ASUU to return to dialogue, not confrontation
- FG reaffirms commitment to resolving lingering issues through engagement
The government cautioned the academic staff against disrupting the academic calendar, insisting that any strike action would attract the enforcement of the “no work, no pay” rule.
Education Minister, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed, said in Abuja that the policy remains an existing labour law under the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They added that the government “will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted in the nation’s universities.”
While affirming government’s readiness for dialogue, the Ministers said the Federal Government has shown “demonstrable sincerity, patience, and goodwill” in addressing virtually all of ASUU’s concerns. They listed improvements such as the introduction of enhanced teaching allowances and better service conditions for lecturers.
They explained that the few remaining issues are internal matters to be handled by university governing councils, which have recently been reconstituted.
The Ministers expressed disappointment that ASUU had chosen to proceed with a strike despite government meeting agreed timelines and presenting its position to the union. They described the union’s stance as unfair to students and the public, given the progress already made through dialogue.
According to the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda remains committed to staff welfare and academic stability but “will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources.”
They reassured students, parents, and the general public that government remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony in tertiary institutions, appealing to all academic unions to “embrace partnership and dialogue rather than confrontation.”
They further reiterated that the education reform agenda is focused on improving teaching and research conditions, strengthening university autonomy, and fostering innovation within the academic community.
Reaffirming government’s position, the Ministers urged ASUU to reconsider its decision and return to the negotiation table in the interest of students and the future of Nigeria’s higher education system.
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Editorial Staff