By Anita John 
ABUJA | Oct 13 – The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has directed Vice-Chancellors of Nigeria’s federal universities to withhold the salaries of academic staff participating in the ongoing 14-day warning strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
- Education Minister directs Vice-Chancellors to apply “No Work, No Pay” for striking lecturers.
- Federal Government instructs universities to conduct roll calls and report absentees.
- Policy enforcement marks first since Buhari-era 2022 ASUU strike under Mr Adamu Adamu as Education Minister.
- ASUU demands include release of withheld salaries, funding, and end to lecturer victimisation.
In a letter signed by the minister, Alausa said the “No Work, No Pay” policy would take effect from Monday, October 13, 2025, stressing that the government would not fold its arms while academic staff disrupt the academic calendar across Nigerian universities.
The letter, which was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, directed all VCs to take immediate action.
Part of the letter reads:
“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.”
Alausa also directed Vice-Chancellors of all federal universities to conduct a roll call and physical headcount of academic staff in their institutions and submit a comprehensive report of those present and absent from class.
He stated that the salaries of lecturers found absent would be deducted accordingly for participating in the ongoing strike.
“Please treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in the national interest,” Alausa urged the university heads.
The last time the government enforced the “No Work, No Pay” policy was during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, when lecturers went on strike for eight months.
A day earlier, the government had warned that it would enforce the policy after ASUU announced its decision to embark on a two-week warning strike over the government’s failure to fulfil a pending agreement with the union.
ASUU’s current demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
The union is also demanding payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues, among others.
The national body of ASUU was yet to react to the minister’s directive at the time of publication.
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Editorial Staff