The Federal Government has reiterated that it will fully enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) participating in the ongoing nationwide strike, even as the University of Ibadan (UI) officially joins the industrial action.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, which was sighted by PUNCH Online.
In the circular, the ministry expressed concern over the persistence of the strike despite repeated government appeals for dialogue, insisting that it would no longer tolerate non-compliance with labour laws by any academic union.
“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, 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 stated.
Dr. Alausa directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to conduct immediate roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff to determine those who are performing their duties and those participating in the strike.
He ordered that salaries be withheld from lecturers who refuse to work during the strike period, emphasizing that the policy would be implemented without exception.
However, members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the strike, are exempted from the directive.
The circular, copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, 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), tasked the NUC with monitoring compliance and submitting a comprehensive report to the ministry within seven days.
“Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” Alausa instructed.
Meanwhile, the University of Ibadan (UI) has confirmed its participation in the two-week warning strike declared by ASUU, joining several other institutions across the country.
The development is expected to further disrupt academic activities nationwide as tensions continue to mount between the federal government and the lecturers’ union over unmet demands and the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” directive.
