Don’t Pay Varsity Lecturers On Strike, Federal Government Writes Vice Chancellors

The Federal Government has directed all Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently participating in the ongoing strike.

In a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, which was sighted by LEADERSHIP, the Ministry expressed dissatisfaction over ASUU’s decision to embark on industrial action despite the government’s repeated appeals for dialogue.

“The Federal Ministry of Education views with dissatisfaction the reports of the ongoing industrial action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), despite repeated calls for the union to embrace constructive dialogue as the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector,” the circular stated.

It reiterated the government’s stance on the enforcement of labour laws, saying that the directive was in line with extant provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation.

“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the minister said.

The circular, addressed to all Vice-Chancellors of federal universities, instructed them to immediately implement specific actions, including conducting a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff, and submitting a comprehensive report distinguishing those at work from those participating in the strike.

“Accordingly, all Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities are hereby directed to ensure strict application of this provision, which requires immediate actions as follows: Conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in your institution, submit a comprehensive report clearly indicating staff who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike and ensure that salary payment for the period of work stoppage is withheld from those who fail to perform their duties,” the letter read.

The Ministry, however, made clear that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), two academic unions not part of the strike were exempted from the directive.

“For the avoidance of doubt, academic staff who are members of CONUA and NAMDA, who are not participating in the strike action, are exempted from this directive and shall not be subjected to any form of salary withholding,” the circular added.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been mandated to monitor strict compliance with the directive and submit a consolidated report to the Ministry within seven days.