By Obinna Uballa
The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to submit daily attendance and compliance reports following the commencement of a two-week nationwide warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and addressed to key stakeholders, including pro-chancellors, 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), the government reaffirmed its resolve to implement the “no work, no pay” policy for striking lecturers.
The circular expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on industrial action despite “ongoing engagement efforts,” warning that the administration would no longer tolerate repeated disruptions of the academic calendar.
“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 minister stated.
Alausa directed all vice-chancellors to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff, identify those who report for duty, and submit comprehensive reports to the ministry. He added that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not participating in the strike, should continue receiving their full entitlements.
ASUU had on Sunday announced the two-week warning strike, effective Monday, October 13, to press home its demands, which include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, revitalisation funding for public universities, and payment of promotion arrears and salary differentials.
The federal government, however, insists most of these issues have been addressed and described the strike as “unjustified.”
Academic activities paralysed nationwide
Across the country, academic activities were grounded on Monday as ASUU chapters in both federal and state universities complied with the national directive, Vanguard reported.
At the University of Abuja, most lecture halls remained locked despite claims by CONUA members that they continued classes. The UniAbuja CONUA chairman, Prof. Abdul Buba, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to “academic stability and constructive engagement,” urging members to continue their duties.
In the University of Jos, postgraduate students were stranded as lecturers joined the strike. Similar reports emerged from the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, where ASUU chairmen, Dr. Alex Akanmu and Dr. Abdulganiyu Salau respectively, confirmed full participation.
In Ogun State, academic activities were paralysed at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB); Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED); and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye. TASUED chairman, Dr. Adewale Ositoye, said members had no choice but to obey the directive of the national body.
In the South-East, lecturers at Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), also complied. The ASUU chairperson at EBSU, Dr. Joseph Igwe, confirmed that “all academic activities have been suspended.”
Dr. Chidi Mbah, chairman of ASUU, Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, said the strike recorded full compliance, stressing that “there is no CONUA in ABSU.”
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) equally joined the strike, while at the University of Ibadan (UI), lecture halls and offices were deserted. UI ASUU chairman, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, said the strike began at midnight on Sunday and would continue “until further directive.”
At the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, ASUU chairman, Prof. Anthony Odiwe, said compliance began around noon Monday, noting that “it’s a collective decision — we are all suffering the same humiliation from government.”
However, at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), the strike was only partially observed as some students were allowed to complete their ongoing examinations.
NLC cautions FG against intimidation
Reacting to the development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) faulted the Federal Government’s threat to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy, describing it as “an act of intimidation” that would not resolve the crisis.
In a statement, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the government’s failure to honour agreements voluntarily entered with ASUU was the root cause of the recurring strikes.
“The continued refusal to implement collectively bargained agreements is undermining public tertiary education and eroding confidence in the system,” Ajaero stated.
“Rather than engage in good faith to resolve the crisis, the government has resorted to the unproductive threat of ‘no work, no pay.’ This narrative is misleading.”
The NLC maintained that ASUU’s strike was a legitimate response to “years of neglect and unfulfilled promises” and urged the government to adopt a genuine dialogue rather than coercive measures.
