The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently on strike.
The directive, issued in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, called on all university administrators to ensure strict compliance in line with extant labour laws.
According to the circular, copies of which were sent to key government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Director-General of the Budget Office, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the government expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on another round of industrial action despite ongoing engagements.
The Education Minister stated that the government would no longer condone disruptions to academic calendars and public service operations, stressing that adherence to the “no work, no pay” policy remains a legal and administrative requirement.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, any employee who fails to perform official duties during a strike shall forfeit their pay for the period of absence,” the statement read
Dr. Alausa therefore directed vice-chancellors to conduct an immediate roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff, identifying those performing their duties and those participating in the strike.The data, he said, should be submitted to the ministry through the NUC without delay.
He added that salary payments must be suspended for any lecturer who fails to discharge assigned responsibilities during the strike period.However, he clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the ongoing strike, should continue to receive their salaries.
“The ministry expects total compliance with this directive,” Alausa emphasized, directing the NUC to monitor implementation and submit a comprehensive compliance report within seven days.
He urged university administrators to handle the directive with “utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in the national interest.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities had on Sunday announced a total and comprehensive warning strike, effective Monday, October 13, citing unresolved issues with the Federal Government.
ASUU’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries and arrears, revitalisation funding for public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of members in certain institutions.
The government’s latest directive marks another tense phase in the long-standing industrial dispute between the Federal Government and the university lecturers’ union.