The Federal Government has intensified its standoff with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by directing all vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately implement the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking lecturers.

In a circular signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government ordered university authorities to conduct physical headcounts and roll calls of all academic staff, ensuring that those absent or participating in the ongoing strike have their salaries withheld for the duration of the industrial action. The directive further mandates vice-chancellors to submit detailed compliance reports indicating staff attendance and performance.

The letter clarified that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) are exempted from the sanction, as they are not part of the strike. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been instructed to oversee the exercise and submit a consolidated report to the Education Ministry within seven days.

ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike on October 13, 2025, over the federal government’s failure to implement key components of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, including payment of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and improved funding for public universities. Reacting to the directive, ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, said the union would not be intimidated by government threats, warning against attempts to divide the academic community.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind ASUU, condemning the government’s “No Work, No Pay” stance. The NLC cautioned that continued hardline measures could spark wider industrial unrest. On several campuses nationwide, students expressed growing concern over academic disruptions, as empty lecture halls and deserted corridors underscored full compliance with the strike directive.