As the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commences a two-week warning strike, the Federal Government has reaffirmed that the “No Work, No Pay” policy remains an active labour law in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the government stated that it would be guided by this policy if academic activities are disrupted in public universities.
The statement noted that while the government continues to show goodwill and flexibility in negotiations, it will not compromise its responsibility to ensure fairness and accountability in the use of public funds.
Reassuring students, parents, and the public, the statement added that the Federal Government remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony in the tertiary education system. It further revealed that the Minister of Education has appealed to academic unions to embrace dialogue and partnership, rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of Nigeria’s higher education sector.
ASUU, on Sunday, declared a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike affecting all public universities nationwide.
Speaking at a press conference at the University of Abuja, ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said the 14-day notice issued on September 28, 2025, had expired without any concrete response from the government.
He announced that all ASUU branches across the country had been directed to commence a full withdrawal of services from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025, stressing that the strike would be both total and comprehensive, in line with resolutions reached at the union’s most recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Just last week, the Federal Government had appealed to ASUU to shelve the planned strike, assuring that it was already addressing the union’s demands.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that progress was being made through the reconstituted Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee, tasked with fast-tracking talks with academic and non-academic unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had issued clear directives to ensure that every effort is made to prevent further disruptions in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
