The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to immediately begin implementing the “no work, no pay” policy and submit daily attendance reports, following the commencement of the two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and addressed to key education stakeholders, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, pro-chancellors of federal universities, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The circular expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on strike despite what it described as ongoing engagements with the union. It warned that the government would no longer tolerate disruptions to the academic calendar.
“In line with existing labour laws, any employee who fails to perform official duties during a strike period shall not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” the minister stated.
Dr. Alausa further directed vice-chancellors to carry out headcounts of all academic staff, identify those reporting for duty, and forward compliance reports to the ministry. He added that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not participating in the strike, should continue to receive their full entitlements.
ASUU had on Sunday declared a two-week warning strike, effective Monday, October 13, to press home its long-standing demands — including the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, revitalisation funding for public universities, and settlement of outstanding promotion arrears and salary differentials.
The government insists most of the union’s grievances have been addressed, describing the strike as unnecessary and unjustified.
Academic activities grounded across campuses
The strike entered full swing yesterday, paralysing activities in most public universities across the country.
At the University of Abuja, most lecture halls remained locked, and there was little or no sign of teaching activities. Although members of CONUA claimed they went ahead with scheduled lectures, academic operations were visibly stalled, Vanguard reported.
The chairman of CONUA, UniAbuja chapter, Prof. Abdul Buba, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to “academic stability, excellence, and constructive dialogue.” He urged members to “report to work and continue performing their duties diligently.”
In the University of Jos, postgraduate programmes were disrupted, while undergraduate students, who are currently on break, were unaffected. Similar reports of total compliance came from the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, where ASUU chairmen, Dr. Alex Akanmu and Dr. Abdulganiyu Salau, confirmed their participation in the nationwide action.
In Ogun State, academic work was completely shut down at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB); Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED); and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye. TASUED chairman, Dr. Adewale Ositoye, said lecturers had no option but to obey the directive of the national body.
Lecturers at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), also joined the strike. Dr. Joseph Igwe, chairperson of ASUU at EBSU, said, “All academic activities in the university have been suspended pending further directive from the national leadership.”
At Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, ASUU chairman, Dr. Chidi Mbah, confirmed total compliance, noting that “there is no CONUA presence in the university.”
The strike also recorded full participation in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the University of Cross River (UNICROSS), where ASUU branch chairmen, Prof. Peter Ubi and Dr. Patrick Ushie, respectively, said their members had joined in solidarity with the national directive.
At the University of Ibadan (UI), lectures and other academic activities were completely halted as classrooms and offices were deserted. ASUU chapter chairman, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, said the warning strike began at midnight on Sunday and would continue until the national body decides otherwise.
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, also witnessed full compliance. Its ASUU chairman, Prof. Anthony Odiwe, said, “This is a collective decision. We are all facing the same humiliation from government, so there is no other option than to comply.”
However, at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), the strike was partially observed, as students sitting for examinations were allowed to complete their papers before the shutdown took effect.
NLC warns FG against intimidation
Reacting to the government’s stance, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) condemned the threat to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy, describing it as a form of intimidation that would only worsen the crisis.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the federal government’s failure to honour previous agreements was responsible for the persistent unrest in the university system.
“The strike is not an act of defiance but a legitimate response to years of neglect and unfulfilled promises,” Ajaero said.
“Rather than engage in good faith to resolve the crisis, the government has chosen the path of threats. The ‘no work, no pay’ policy is unproductive and misleading.”
The NLC urged the federal government to return to the negotiation table and address the fundamental issues undermining the university system, warning that continued disregard for workers’ welfare could trigger wider labour unrest across the country.
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