FG Orders Universities to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’ on Striking Lecturers

FG Orders Universities to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’ on Striking Lecturers

The Federal Government has instructed Vice-Chancellors of all federal universities to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against lecturers participating in the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, issued the directive in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellors, mandating them to conduct a roll call and physical headcount of academic staff. They are to submit detailed reports identifying those present and fulfilling their duties, as well as those absent due to the strike. Salaries for staff who fail to report to work during the strike period are to be withheld.

Alausa emphasized that the directive aligns with existing provisions of Nigeria’s Labour Laws, reaffirming the government’s stance on withholding pay from employees who do not perform their official responsibilities during industrial action.

He clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) are exempt from the directive, as they are not participating in the strike.

The minister had previously warned of implementing the policy, accusing ASUU of failing to engage in good-faith negotiations.

In response, ASUU stated that no meaningful progress has been made since its ultimatum was issued two weeks ago. The union described an emergency meeting held with government representatives on October 10 as unproductive.

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, criticized the government’s presentation at the meeting, saying it deviated significantly from the draft agreement developed by the committee led by Yawale Ahmed.

On Sunday, ASUU reiterated its demands, which include finalizing the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, releasing withheld salaries totaling three and a half months, ensuring sustainable funding for public universities, and revitalizing the tertiary education sector.

Additional demands include payment of outstanding salary arrears ranging from 25 to 35 percent, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative contribution deductions.

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