The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), signalling that the “no work, no pay” policy will be enforced if the union proceeds with its planned strike.
In a statement on Sunday, Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, said the government was disappointed by ASUU’s reluctance to cooperate, despite ongoing efforts to prevent disruption to academic activities.
The statement emphasised that the government has prioritised the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
It noted that dialogue remains the most effective means of resolving disagreements and that authorities remain willing to engage the union at any level.
“The standing labour policy of ‘no work, no pay’ will apply in the event of industrial action,” the statement added.
Ministers urged all academic unions to favour negotiation over confrontation and underscored that the government’s reforms aim to enhance teaching and research conditions, strengthen governance in universities, and create an environment conducive to productivity and innovation.
ASUU, meanwhile, announced a nationwide strike set to begin on Monday, 13 October.
The union is pressing for the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of three-and-a-half months of withheld salaries, improved funding for public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Additional demands include payment of outstanding salary arrears of 25–35%, promotion backlogs spanning four years, and release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.