Federal Government Enforces 'No Work, No Pay' Policy on ASUU Members Amid Ongoing Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been in a two-week warning strike since Monday, prompting the Federal Government to enforce the 'no work, no pay' policy against striking members. The directive, contained in a letter signed by Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and dated 13th October, 2025, orders Vice-Chancellors to conduct a roll call and physical headcount of staff, submit a report indicating staff present and performing duties, and withhold salary payments for those who fail to perform their duties. The policy exempts 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.

Key Takeaways:

• The Federal Government has enforced the 'no work, no pay' policy on ASUU members who are participating in the ongoing two-week warning strike.
• The directive orders Vice-Chancellors to conduct a roll call and physical headcount of staff, submit a report indicating staff present and performing duties, and withhold salary payments for those who fail to perform their duties.
• 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 are exempted from this directive.
• The policy aims to ensure that salaries are paid only to staff who are present and performing their duties during the strike period.
• ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, has directed all branches of the union to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, 13th October, 2025.
• The union has listed eight issues in dispute with the Federal Government, including conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, release of withheld 3.5 months salaries, and payment of promotion arrears.

Statistics:

• 2 weeks: duration of the warning strike announced by ASUU
• 13th October, 2025: date of the directive from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa
• 7 days: timeframe for the National Universities Commission (NUC) to monitor compliance and submit a report to the Ministry
• 8 years: duration of the renegotiation process for the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement
• 2022: year in which the Draft 2009 renegotiated Nimi Briggs Agreement was submitted to the Ministry

Sources:

• Letter from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, dated 13th October, 2025
• Press conference by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, on Sunday, 12th October, 2025
• Letter from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, dated 30th September 2025
• Draft 2022 agreement submitted by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to the Ministry