…As FG enforces ‘no work-no pay’
A new confrontation is brewing between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), as both sides dig in over the ongoing nationwide strike.
The Federal Government, yesterday, directed Vice-Chancellors of all federal universities to immediately enforce the “no work-no pay” policy against striking lecturers.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, mandates university heads to conduct roll calls and physical head-counts of academic staff, identifying those who are absent or participating in the strike.
Alausa warned that salaries for lecturers who fail to perform their duties during the strike period must be withheld, citing labour law provisions. He further tasked the National Universities Commission (NUC) to monitor compliance and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days.
The Minister, however, clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the strike, would be exempted from the sanctions.
Reacting to the Government’s move, ASUU’s Akure Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Adeola Egbetokun, dismissed the threat as “a familiar route,” declaring that lecturers were prepared for a showdown. He said, “We wish Dr. Alausa and his ministry good luck with the enforcement. But he should also know there is something called ‘no pay, no work’.
Egbetokun accused the Tinubu administration of insincerity and blamed the strike on the government’s failure to honour past agreements. “We had been patient with this government for over two years. The committee chaired by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed produced a draft agreement, with several concessions from ASUU, but the government turned its back on it”, he added.
Recall that ASUU began its two-week warning strike on October 13, citing unmet demands including the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries and third-party deductions, revitalisation of universities, and payment of outstanding promotion arrears.
While the Federal Ministry of Education insists that dialogue remains the only solution, the standoff signals another tense chapter in the long-running battle between the government and university lecturers over funding, wages, and respect for labour agreements.
