FG Enforces No-Work-No-Pay on ASUU

Federal Government Threatens ASUU with No-Work-No-Pay Over Strike

The Federal Government issued a stern warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday night, threatening to invoke the no-work-no-pay policy. This move comes in response to the union’s declaration of a total and comprehensive warning strike.

In an official statement, Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, accused ASUU of failing to cooperate with government efforts to avert the industrial action. The strike is set to commence on Monday, October 13.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Dialogue

The Ministers emphasized the government’s continued prioritization of staff welfare and academic stability under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. They reiterated that dialogue is the most effective path to resolving disagreements.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

The government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector. However, officials firmly stated that the no-work-no-pay policy is an extant labour law of Nigeria.

The government will be guided by this law should academic activities face disruption in the nation’s universities. While demonstrating goodwill, the government will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness in the use of public resources.

ASUU’s Key Demands and Government’s Stance

University lecturers are currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement. They also seek the release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries and sustainable funding for public universities.

Other demands include the revitalisation of public universities, cessation of lecturer victimisation, and payment of outstanding salary arrears. The union is also requesting payment of promotion arrears exceeding four years and the release of withheld third-party deductions.

The Federal Government reassured Nigerian students, parents, and the public of its firm commitment to maintaining industrial harmony. Ministers appealed to all academic unions to embrace partnership and dialogue over confrontation.

They reiterated that the government’s education reform agenda aims to enhance teaching conditions and promote institutional autonomy. The goal is to ensure the academic community thrives in an environment of mutual respect and productivity.