The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities across the country to immediately enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) 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 addressed to all heads of federal universities. It takes effect immediately.
According to the circular, university authorities have been instructed to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of all academic staff to determine those who are performing their duties and those who have joined the strike action.
The exercise, the ministry stated, is aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the implementation of the government’s “no work, no pay” policy.
The memo was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Education), Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the federal government will no longer tolerate repeated violations of labour laws by unions and employees in the public sector. He stated that the persistent resort to industrial action by ASUU, despite ongoing engagements and opportunities for negotiation, undermines efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s higher education system.
“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 circular read.
The minister directed all vice-chancellors to submit comprehensive reports identifying academic staff who are working and those absent due to the strike.
The reports are to be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education through the NUC within seven days of receiving the directive.Dr. Alausa further ordered that salaries be withheld for the period of the strike from any lecturer who fails to perform his or her duties in accordance with the policy.
However, he clarified that the directive does not apply to members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), as these groups have not joined the strike and will therefore continue to receive their full salaries.
“Please treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” the minister urged university heads in the circular.
The NUC has also been tasked with monitoring compliance across all federal universities and forwarding a consolidated report to the ministry within the stipulated timeframe.
This move follows ASUU’s declaration of a total and comprehensive warning strike which commenced on Monday, October 13, over what the union described as the federal government’s failure to fulfill long-standing commitments.
ASUU’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half-month salaries, adequate and sustainable funding for public universities, revitalisation of tertiary institutions, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers in Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Other demands include the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
The strike, which has already disrupted academic activities nationwide, marks yet another standoff between ASUU and the federal government over unresolved issues concerning university funding, remuneration, and working conditions.
While the government insists that enforcing the “no work, no pay” policy is a matter of law and accountability, ASUU maintains that it is fighting for the long-term survival of public universities and the welfare of its members.
Stakeholders in the education sector have expressed concern that the renewed confrontation could once again cripple academic calendars, disrupt research, and jeopardize the future of thousands of students across federal universities.
