The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to immediately enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently on strike.
The directive, contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, was issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, amid the ongoing industrial action over unresolved demands between the lecturers and the government.
According to the circular, the government reaffirmed its position that any public employee who fails to perform official duties during a strike will forfeit their pay for the period of absence.
“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 stated.
The letter was copied to key government offices, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Director-General of the Budget Office, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The move follows ASUU’s nationwide strike, which began on Monday, to press for issues such as the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the victimisation of union members in certain institutions.
The renewed confrontation between the Federal Government and the lecturers’ union raises fears of another prolonged shutdown of academic activities across Nigerian universities.
