As the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) entered its second day, the Bola Tinubu administration has directed all federal universities to conduct an immediate roll call and physical headcount of academic staff to enforce compliance with its “no work, no pay” policy.
In a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government instructed vice-chancellors and pro-chancellors to verify which lecturers are at work and which have joined the ongoing industrial action.
The circular, also copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), reaffirmed the government’s resolve to apply existing labour laws.
“In line with existing labour regulations, any employee who fails to discharge official duties during a strike period will not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” the document stated.
Dr. Alausa expressed disappointment with ASUU’s decision to down tools “despite ongoing engagement efforts,” warning that the administration “would no longer condone disruptions to the academic calendar.”
University authorities have been directed to compile reports distinguishing between lecturers who are working and those participating in the strike — records that will determine salary entitlements under the no-work-no-pay rule.
The circular further clarified that members of other academic unions, including the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of ASUU’s strike, should continue to receive full pay.
NLC Backs ASUU, Slams ‘Intimidation Tactics’
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the government’s response, warning that it may convene an emergency congress if the issues raised by ASUU remain unresolved after the two-week warning strike.
In a statement signed by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC criticised the “no work, no pay” policy as an intimidation tactic that would only worsen the crisis in the education sector.
“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by ASUU is a direct consequence of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements,” the statement read.
“The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars,” Ajaero added, noting that lecturers were willing to work but could not do so “with dignity” under current conditions.
The NLC warned that continued neglect of the education sector would deepen inequality and erode social mobility, calling ASUU’s struggle “a fight for Nigeria’s future.”
“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone,” the labour body declared.
ASUU Responds: ‘We’re Ready for No Pay, No Work’
Reacting to the government’s threats, ASUU’s Akure Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Adeola Egbetokun, said the union was not intimidated, describing Dr. Alausa’s directive as “a familiar route.”
“Our members are ready. There is also what is called ‘No Pay, No Work,’” he said.
Egbetokun blamed the government’s “insincerity and lack of commitment” for the strike, saying ASUU had shown patience during prolonged negotiations led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed’s committee.
He warned that if the government failed to act after the two-week period, ASUU would review the situation through its internal mechanisms.
ASUU declared the two-week warning strike on October 13, citing years of unfulfilled agreements and neglect of Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The government insists that dialogue remains the only sustainable path to ending the impasse.
