“No Work, No Pay” - FG Reacts To ASUU Strike

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its stance on the “no work, no pay” policy as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) begins its two-week nationwide warning strike on Monday.

In a statement released Sunday night by Mrs. Folashade Biriowo, spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, the government expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to proceed with the strike despite what it described as “ongoing, sincere efforts” to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.

According to the ministry, the Federal Government remains fully committed to improving the welfare of university staff and ensuring uninterrupted academic activities under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The government continues to show goodwill and flexibility in discussions, but it cannot ignore the principle of fairness and accountability in the management of public resources,” the statement partly read.

The ministry emphasized that the no-work-no-pay rule, already enshrined in Nigerian labour law, would be implemented if academic activities were disrupted nationwide.

While urging university lecturers to reconsider their decision and return to the negotiation table, the ministry reassured students, parents, and stakeholders of its dedication to maintaining industrial peace and advancing educational reforms to strengthen governance and research in the tertiary education system.

ASUU’s latest strike follows the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum to the government.
The union’s demands include the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears, sustainable funding for universities, and an end to alleged victimisation of lecturers at LASU, FUTO, and Prince Abubakar Audu University.

ASUU also called for the release of all third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union dues withheld by the government.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education noted that discussions are still ongoing with the union to prevent an escalation of the strike into a full-blown industrial shutdown.