FG Warns ASUU: Strike May Trigger ‘No Work, No Pay’ Rule

The Federal Government has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider its planned two-week warning strike, warning that the “no work, no pay” rule could be enforced if lecturers proceed with the industrial action.

In a statement issued last night by the Ministry of Education, the government appealed to university lecturers to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation, stressing that most of their demands had already been addressed through recent negotiations. The statement noted that while the government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will also enforce existing labour laws to protect the integrity of the education system and ensure accountability.

The strike, which ASUU said would begin today, follows the union’s claim that the Federal Government failed to meet its outstanding obligations. ASUU warned that the action could escalate into an indefinite strike if its demands remain unresolved.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, said the government had made comprehensive offers addressing key concerns such as conditions of service, institutional governance, and staff welfare. They revealed that the offers were discussed in meetings attended by top officials from the Ministries of Education and Labour, the Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation.

According to the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the Federal Government has made a comprehensive offer to ASUU and is still awaiting the union’s formal response. The ministers maintained that issues within the purview of university governing councils, such as appointments, promotions, and internal governance, are being handled at the institutional level in line with existing regulations.

They added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the welfare of lecturers, the stability of the university system, and the revitalisation of Nigeria’s education sector. The ministers stressed that the government has demonstrated sincerity through policy actions and financial interventions aimed at improving the education sector.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, however, said the warning strike had become unavoidable due to what he described as the government’s insensitivity and failure to honour agreements. He listed the union’s seven-point demands, which include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, improved funding for public universities, revitalisation projects, payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, an end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members, and remittance of third-party deductions.

Prof. Piwuna said the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government, urging Nigerians to prevail on the authorities to act in the interest of public education.

Meanwhile, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has announced that it will not participate in the strike. Its National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, confirmed this in a statement, noting that CONUA members would continue with academic activities.

The Federal Government reiterated its willingness to continue dialogue with ASUU to prevent further disruption of academic activities across public universities. The ministers stated that students must remain in school and that the future of the nation’s children should take priority over disputes. They expressed confidence that with continued engagement, every legitimate concern could be resolved without shutting down campuses.