FG Orders Varsity VCs to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy Against Striking ASUU Members

Also Read

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities in Nigeria to immediately enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.

The directive, contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, was signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and obtained by PUNCH Online.

Copies of the circular were sent to key government offices, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Pro-Chancellors of federal universities, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Government Expresses Displeasure Over Ongoing Strike

According to the circular, the Ministry of Education expressed disappointment over the lecturers’ continued industrial action despite repeated calls for dialogue. The government noted that it would no longer tolerate non-compliance with existing labour laws governing public service.

“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,”
— Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education

Directives to Vice-Chancellors

The minister instructed all university vice-chancellors to:

Conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff members.
Submit a comprehensive attendance report, clearly identifying lecturers who are performing their duties and those participating in the strike.
Withhold salary payments for the duration of the work stoppage from all striking lecturers.

However, Dr. Alausa clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA)—both not part of the ongoing strike—are exempted from the directive and will receive their salaries as usual.

NUC to Monitor Compliance

The circular also mandated the National Universities Commission (NUC) to monitor compliance and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days.

“Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in the national interest,”
— Alausa urged vice-chancellors.

Background: ASUU’s Ongoing Demands

ASUU had on Sunday, October 13, declared a total and comprehensive warning strike across federal universities.

The union’s key demands include:

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
Payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears, and withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.

The Federal Government had earlier warned it would enforce the No Work, No Pay rule if the strike persisted.

Analysis

The government’s move signals a tougher stance on industrial actions within the academic sector, reflecting its insistence on maintaining educational stability and fiscal discipline.
However, labour experts warn that rigid enforcement without addressing the root issues may further strain relations between the government and university unions, potentially prolonging disruptions in academic calendars.