ASUU Strike: FG To Impose ‘No Work, No Pay’ Rule
As the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) begins a two-week warning strike on Monday, the Federal Government has warned that it would invoke the “No work, No pay” rule if the lecturers continue with the strike.
ASUU had asked all its members to withdraw services after the Federal Government refused to respond to its demands after a two-week strike notice it issued earlier, elapsed.
The warning strike, which commences at midnight on Sunday, was announced by the National President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.
Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions, which include cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
Piwuna said the action became necessary because the federal government failed to meet the union’s demands after the 14-day ultimatum earlier issued had lapsed.
He warned that after the two-week warning strike, if the government still failed to act, the union would proceed on a total and comprehensive strike.
Piwuna explained that the action was aimed at drawing attention to the government’s persistent refusal to implement agreements and address critical issues affecting Nigerian universities.
“It is regrettable to note that nothing significant has happened since our last briefing on the eight issues in dispute,” he said.
The ASUU President noted that despite several appeals and assurances from government officials, including a letter dated September 30, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, nothing tangible had been achieved.
He said the outcome of an emergency meeting of the FGN/ASUU 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee held on October 10, was disappointing, saying the documents presented by the government was “provocative and inconsistent” with previous drafts.
“The hurriedly packaged documents were a total departure from the spirit of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated agreement and incapable of dousing industrial tension across campuses,” the ASUU president said.
ASUU accused the government of bad faith and deliberate delay tactics, lamenting that months of negotiation had yielded no results.
“It is a betrayal of historic responsibility if we continue to fall for the government’s deception and manipulation,” Piwuna declared. “What is needed is the fundamental transformation of our university system, not token promises.”
The union appealed for understanding from students, parents, and the public, stressing that its struggle was aimed at saving Nigeria’s university system from collapse.
“We invite patriotic Nigerians, workers, media practitioners, and civil society activists to join ASUU in this transformational mission,” he added.
However, the Federal Government said ASUU should reconsider its decision, assuring that it was ready for constructive dialogue.
In a joint statement, the two ministers of education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa and Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, claimed that the Federal Government has made comprehensive offer to the union and awaiting its official response.
The government warned it would invoke the “No Work, No Pay” rule “should ASUU proceed with the strike”.
