The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities b over its decision to proceed with a planned nationwide strike, stating that it will fully enforce the “no work, no pay” policy if academic activities are disrupted across public universities.
In a detailed joint statement released on Sunday, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, called on ASUU to reconsider its stance and return to the dialogue table rather than embarking on another industrial action that could paralyze the nation’s higher education system.
The ministers reaffirmed that the federal government has made significant strides in addressing the core issues raised by the union, including improved teaching allowances, better welfare packages, and infrastructural support to enhance the learning environment within universities.
“The Federal Government has demonstrated demonstrable sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the Union,” the statement read, adding that several of ASUU’s major demands have already been met or are in advanced stages of implementation.
According to the statement, unresolved matters that remain are those within the jurisdiction of university governing councils, which have already been reconstituted and empowered to act swiftly in resolving any pending issues related to staff welfare and institutional autonomy.
The government, however, expressed disappointment that despite ongoing talks, ASUU has chosen to declare a warning strike, which it described as unfair to both students and the public. “Despite these efforts, ASUU has opted for strike action. This decision does not reflect cooperation or fairness to the students and the nation,” the ministers noted.
They further emphasized that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the administration is committed to maintaining a stable academic calendar and ensuring uninterrupted education for students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government remains dedicated to dialogue and problem-solving,” the statement continued. “We call on the leadership of ASUU to put the interests of students and national development first by returning to discussions rather than taking actions that could further destabilize the education sector.”
Reiterating the government’s position, the ministers warned that the “no work, no pay” labour regulation would be strictly applied to any lecturers who down tools in violation of their contractual obligations.
“The ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted,” the statement warned.
They urged ASUU to embrace dialogue, stressing that the administration values the contributions of Nigerian lecturers but would not condone continuous disruptions that harm students’ progress and the nation’s education system as a whole.
With the strike set to begin soon, tension continues to rise among students, parents, and education stakeholders, as many call for an immediate resolution to prevent yet another round of academic setbacks in Nigerian universities.