BY NGOZI A NWANKWO
The Federal Government has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it would not hesitate to invoke the policy of ‘No-work-no-pay,’ should it make due its threat to commence a two weeks warning strike today (Monday).
Following several strike threats by ASUU, the union, on Sunday, finally declared a two-week warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria starting today.
But in a statement issued on Sunday night by Folasade Boriowo, the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, accused ASUU of not being cooperative despite efforts by the government to avert the strike that was declared by the union.
“The ministers further stressed that the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“According to them, dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements, and the government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.
“They, however, emphasised that 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. While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources.
The statement reassured Nigerian students, parents, and the general public that the Federal Government is firmly committed to maintaining industrial harmony in the tertiary education system.
“Ministers appealed to all academic unions to embrace partnership and dialogue rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of the nation’s higher education system.
“They reiterated that the government’s education reform agenda is designed to enhance teaching and research conditions, promote institutional autonomy through strengthened university governance, and ensure that the academic community thrives in an environment of mutual respect, productivity, and innovation.”
ASUU, on Sunday, declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13, as it demands the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Others are payment of outstanding 25-35 per cent salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).
While declaring their resolve to embark on the strike action during a press briefing at the Abuja University, the National President of the Union, Prof. Chris Piwuna directs all members of it branches of ASUU across public university to suspend all academic activities and begin the comprehensive strike starting midnight, as agreement with the Federal Government haven’t yielded a result.
“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025.
“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025. The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,” Piwuna said.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had last week reconstituted and inaugurated the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to accelerate ongoing discussions with academic and non-academic unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.