FG Orders Varsity Heads to Enforce ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy Against Striking ASUU Members

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Federal Government has ordered vice-chancellors of all federal universities to begin enforcing 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 signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. The minister emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate payment of salaries to university lecturers who have stopped performing their official duties.

“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 circular was also copied to key government offices, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Permanent Secretary of Education, the Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

ASUU members have been on strike over the government’s failure to fulfill outstanding agreements, including issues of welfare, funding, and revitalization of public universities.