There appears to be no end to the perennial feud between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Federal Government of Nigeria FGN.
Every now and then, the ivory tower lecturers would down tools over one issue or the other, especially non-payment of their allowances. And on each occasion, the FG would promise to meet their demands but would, in the end, renege.
Now, the government has invoked the no-work-no-pay policy on ASUU whose members declared a total and comprehensive warning strike effective Monday, October 13, 2025.
This time round, ASUU is demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement; 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 at the Lagos State University, LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO.
Others grounds for the warning strike are payment of outstanding 25 percent to 35 percent salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues)
But in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government accused ASUU of not being cooperative despite efforts by the government to avert the strike that was declared by the union.
The statement read in part: “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.
“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.
“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 government reassured Nigerian students, parents, and the general public that the Federal Government is firmly committed to maintaining industrial harmony in the tertiary education system.
Yet, on Monday October 13, 2025, ASUU members in many institutions joined the nationwide warning strike called by the union, bringing all teaching and related activities on campus to a halt.
On its part, the Federal Government directed vice-chancellors of federal universities across the country to strictly enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against ASUU members participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
“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,” the Minister of Education said in a circular read.
The minister directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in their institutions.
He also instructed them to submit a comprehensive report indicating staff members who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike.
We view this development as not too good for Nigeria’s higher education system. It portrays ASUU in bad light especially as “an unwavering yet frequently misunderstood actor” whereas ASUU has maintained its role “as a steadfast advocate for academic integrity and the protection of educational standards.
Therefore, we believe that the ongoing industrial action should be nipped in the bud through acceptable resolution of the issues.
“It portrays ASUU in bad light especially as “an unwavering yet frequently misunderstood actor” whereas ASUU has maintained its role “as a steadfast advocate for academic integrity and the protection of educational standards.”