The Federal Government, on Sunday night, warned that it may enforce the no-work-no-pay policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a statement by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, the government accused ASUU of being uncooperative despite several efforts to prevent the union’s planned strike.
According to the statement, the Ministers reaffirmed that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government remains committed to improving staff welfare and ensuring academic stability. They emphasized that dialogue remains the most effective approach to resolving disputes and that the government is open to continuous engagement to avoid disruption in the education sector.
However, the ministry maintained that the no-work-no-pay policy is an existing labour law and will be applied if university activities are halted. The statement added that while the government continues to show flexibility and goodwill, it will uphold fairness and accountability in managing public funds.
It also reassured students, parents, and the general public of the government’s commitment to maintaining industrial peace in the university system and urged all academic unions to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation.
The government reiterated that its education reform agenda seeks to improve teaching and research conditions, strengthen university governance, and foster an environment of respect, innovation, and productivity.
Meanwhile, ASUU on Sunday announced a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike beginning Monday, October 13. The union’s demands include finalising the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, improved funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Other demands include payment of 25–35% salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.
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