The Federal Government has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities that it will enforce the no-work-no-pay policy if the union proceeds with its planned two-week strike beginning Monday, October 13.
In a statement issued late Sunday by the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the government accused ASUU of refusing to cooperate despite efforts to prevent another disruption of academic activities.
“The Ministers further stressed that the government has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement read.
Boriowo quoted the Ministers as saying that dialogue remains the most viable way to resolve disputes in the education sector.
“Dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements, and government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector,” the statement added.
The government, however, warned that it would be guided by existing labour laws if ASUU proceeds with the strike.
“The ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted in the nation’s universities,” the Ministry cautioned.
While assuring students, parents, and the public of its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony, the Federal Government urged all university unions to adopt cooperation over confrontation.
“The Ministers appealed to all academic unions to embrace partnership and dialogue rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of the nation’s higher education system,” the statement said.
ASUU, meanwhile, has announced a comprehensive warning strike to press home its demands, which include the finalisation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, and revitalisation of public universities.
The union is also demanding the release of outstanding promotion arrears, payment of 25–35% salary increases, and the cessation of what it described as the “victimisation” of lecturers in the Lagos State University, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
According to ASUU, the government’s failure to address these longstanding issues has left the union with “no other option than to embark on the strike action to compel action.”
The Federal Government, however, reiterated that it “will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,” emphasizing that it remains open to constructive dialogue to restore stability to the nation’s tertiary education system.
