The Federal Government has instructed the vice-chancellors of all federal universities to implement the “no work, no pay” policy for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
The directive, issued in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was seen by PUNCH Online. It also outlined that the circular was sent to key government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of Education, and the Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities.
According to the circular, the government expressed frustration over the continued strike action by ASUU despite repeated calls for dialogue. The ministry emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate any non-compliance with labor laws and reiterated its position on the enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy for employees not fulfilling their official duties during the strike period.
“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 circular read.
Dr. Alausa has instructed vice-chancellors to conduct a roll call and headcount of all academic staff at their respective institutions. They are to submit a comprehensive report detailing those who are present and fulfilling their duties, as well as those absent or participating in the strike.
Further, the minister made it clear that any staff members who fail to return to work will have their salaries withheld for the period of the strike. However, members of the Congress of University Academics (COUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the strike action, are exempted from this directive and will not face salary deductions.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has also been tasked with ensuring compliance with the directive and is expected to submit a consolidated report to the Ministry of Education within seven days.
Dr. Alausa urged university heads to treat the matter with “utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in the national interest.”
Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that the federal government had warned of enforcing the “no work, no pay” policy amidst the escalating strike by ASUU, which began as a total and comprehensive warning strike on Monday, October 13.
ASUU is demanding the finalization of the renegotiated 2009 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld salaries for three and a half months, improved funding for public universities, revitalization of public universities, and an end to the victimization of lecturers in several institutions, including Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Other demands include the payment of 25-35% salary arrears, the clearance of long-overdue promotion arrears, and the release of withheld third-party deductions, such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
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