The Federal Government has warned that it may enforce the no-work-no-pay policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following the union’s declaration of a nationwide warning strike.
In a statement released Sunday night by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, the government accused ASUU of acting uncooperatively despite ongoing efforts to address their grievances.
The statement noted that Ministers of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa and Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the welfare of university staff under the Renewed Hope Agenda. They stressed that dialogue remains the only path to resolving disputes and maintaining academic stability.
However, the ministry cautioned that the no-work-no-pay provision remains valid under Nigeria’s labour laws and would be applied if academic activities are disrupted.
“While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to ensure fairness and accountability in the management of public funds,” the ministry said.
ASUU Begins 18th Strike Since 1999
ASUU announced the commencement of a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike beginning Monday, October 13, to press home its demands. This marks the union’s 18th strike in 26 years.
Its demands include finalising the renegotiated 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears, improved university funding, and an end to alleged victimisation of members in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Other concerns include unpaid 25–35% salary arrears, four years of promotion backlogs, and withheld cooperative deductions.
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the strike followed “many unfulfilled promises” and “government’s lip service to our seven-point demand.” He lamented that the union’s two-week ultimatum expired without any tangible commitment from the authorities.
“Government has been asking for time with nothing concrete on the ground to resolve it,” he added.
FG Says ASUU Rejected Fresh Offers
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education stated that the government had made a comprehensive offer addressing key issues such as conditions of service, institutional governance, and staff welfare — but is still awaiting ASUU’s formal response.
The Tinubu administration, it said, approved a “robust teaching allowance” to reflect the value of academic work. The ministry also said some pending matters fall under university governing councils, which are actively addressing them.
According to the ministry, “The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received.”
The government alleged that ASUU declined requests for a last-minute physical meeting meant to avert the strike, despite directives from President Tinubu for swift intervention.
A top official familiar with the matter said, “The government had shown good faith. The President gave the go-ahead, the minister acted swiftly, and the negotiating panel was on standby. But ASUU simply shut the door on dialogue.”
Officials further claimed that the strike was “pre-planned”, not a reaction to any deadlock, and accused the union of “deliberate sabotage.”
CONUA Distances Itself from Strike
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has said it is not part of ASUU’s industrial action. Its National President, ‘Niyi Sunmonu, explained that ongoing discussions with the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee made any strike “unnecessary at this time.”
Government insiders said the Friday meeting between ASUU representatives and the FG negotiating team — led by Senator Lekan Tejuoso standing in for Dr. Yayale Ahmed — ended with assurances that ASUU’s concerns had been relayed to the Presidency.
Yet, they claimed ASUU ignored further invitations for dialogue, opting instead for confrontation.
Could this be another cycle in the long, weary dance between ASUU and the government — one that keeps students waiting and losing valuable years of academic work? Let’s discuss the situation in the comments section.
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