Federal Government Directs Universities to Enforce 'No Work, No Pay' Policy on Striking ASUU Members

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Government has taken a firm stance against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by instructing Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to enforce the 'No Work, No Pay' policy on striking members. This directive, contained in a circular signed by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, on October 13, 2025, comes after repeated appeals for dialogue were met with resistance from the union. The government views the strike as a breach of labour laws and has reiterated its stance on enforcing the 'No Work, No Pay' policy, which requires salary payment withholding for those who fail to perform their duties. Academic staff who are part of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) are exempt from this directive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal Government has instructed Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to enforce the 'No Work, No Pay' policy on ASUU members participating in the strike, citing breach of labour laws.
  • The circular, signed by Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa on October 13, 2025, requires Vice-Chancellors to conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff, and submit a comprehensive report distinguishing those at work from those participating in the strike.
  • ASUU members participating in the strike will have their salaries withheld for the period of work stoppage.
  • Members of CONUA and NAMDA, two academic unions not part of the strike, are exempt from this directive.
  • 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.

Statistics:

  • The 'No Work, No Pay' policy extension is set to last indefinitely until the strike is resolved.
  • 18 days have passed since the start of the strike, as of October 31, 2025.
  • The government has reiterated its stance on enforcing labour laws, citing extant provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation.
  • The directive specifically targets employees who fail to discharge their official duties during the period of strike action.

Sources:

  • A circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.
  • LEADERSHIP, a Nigerian newspaper that sighted the circular.