Tinubu Govt Threatens ‘No Work, No Pay’ As ASUU Begins Two-Week Warning Strike

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has warned that it will apply the “no work, no pay” policy if members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) go ahead with their planned two-week nationwide warning strike.

ASUU announced a two-week warning strike starting Monday, October 13, accusing the Federal Government of failing to address its long-standing demands.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, criticized ASUU for abandoning ongoing discussions despite the government’s genuine efforts to resolve the issues.

The ministers said the government had already presented a detailed offer to ASUU and was waiting for the union’s formal response.

According to them, the proposal covers key issues such as lecturers’ working conditions, university governance, and staff welfare.

They explained that Tinubu’s administration has approved an improved Teaching Allowance to better reflect the value of academic work and encourage lecturers in public universities.

The ministers also reminded ASUU that the “no work, no pay” rule is a standing provision under Nigerian labour law, which the government will enforce if the strike proceeds.

The statement reads, “All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled. The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received.”

The ministers insisted that the government had approached the matter “with demonstrable commitment and sincerity,” citing “prompt policy responses and financial interventions in the education sector.”

“However, ASUU has not reciprocated this gesture and appears determined to proceed with the planned strike despite the pending offer and ongoing engagement,” the statement said.

They reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remains “unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian lecturers and the stability of the university system,” and that ongoing reforms in the sector are “anchored on fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening to ensure sustainable academic excellence.”

“While reaffirming the administration’s respect for university autonomy, the Ministers clarified that certain aspects of ASUU’s demands—particularly those relating to internal governance, appointments, and promotions—are statutory responsibilities of university governing councils,” the statement added.

They urged the union to allow these matters to be handled appropriately “at the institutional level in line with existing regulations.”

They also reminded the union that the “principle of ‘No Work, No Pay’ remains an extant provision of Nigerian labour law, and the Federal Government will invoke it should ASUU proceed with the strike”.

“While government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will equally enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system and ensure accountability,” it added.

The ministers further assured Nigerians that the administration remains open to “constructive engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders in the education sector,” stressing that the government’s interventions demonstrate “a clear commitment to revitalising universities, improving staff welfare, and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.”

“The government has shown sincerity and commitment through engagements and policy actions. We are confident that, with continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be addressed and resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school.

“The future of our children and the stability of our universities must take priority over disputes. The Federal Government remains open to discussion and is ready to work with ASUU to consolidate the gains already achieved in staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms,” the statement concluded.

KanyiDaily recalls that the ASUU had called on the Federal Government to prioritize paying university lecturers a living wage instead of a basic minimum wage.

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