Vice-chancellors of federal universities have been instructed by the federal government to immediately apply the “no work, no pay” policy against Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members who are taking part in the current nationwide strike.
According to reports, the instruction was included in a circular issued by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, on October 13, 2025.
Pro-Chancellors of federal universities, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of Education, the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) all received copies of the document.
The circular stated that despite repeated appeals for dialogue, the ministry was not happy with reports of ASUU’s ongoing industrial action.
According to the circular, “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,” in accordance with the terms of the Federation’s labor laws.
In addition to conducting a physical headcount and roll call of all academic staff, the minister instructed vice-chancellors to provide a comprehensive report that identifies those who are working and those who are missing or taking part in the strike.
Additionally, he mandated that employees who do not carry out their jobs during the strike time have their salaries withheld.
Alausa explained that the regulation will not apply to members of the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) or the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), who are not participating in the strike.
The NUC was instructed by the minister to keep an eye on compliance and provide the ministry with a comprehensive report in seven days.
Alausa urged university administrators to handle this issue in the best interests of the country with the highest urgency and a strong sense of duty.
On Sunday, ASUU announced a complete and all-encompassing warning strike that would start on Monday, October 13.
The completion of the 2009 FGN-ASUU renegotiated agreement, the release of three-and-a-half months’ salaries that were withheld, sustainable funding and public university revitalization, and an end to what it called the victimization of lecturers at FUTO, LASU, and Prince Abubakar Audu University are among the union’s demands.
Additional demands include the release of delayed third-party deductions, such as cooperative payments and union check-off dues, the payment of nearly four years’ worth of promotion arrears, and the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears.
