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15 Oct 2025, Wed

ASUU Begins Strike Monday, FG Warns of No Work, No Pay

By Peter Onyekachukwu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all its branches across Nigerian universities to commence a total and indefinite two-week warning strike beginning Monday.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the decision during a press briefing at the union’s national headquarters, University of Abuja, on Sunday.

He said the strike became necessary following the Federal Government’s failure to address key demands of the union despite repeated appeals and several meetings.

Piwuna stated that the government’s inaction over unresolved issues — including university funding, lecturers’ welfare, and the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement — had left the union with no option but to embark on industrial action.

“The decision to begin this total and indefinite two-week warning strike became imperative after government failed to do the needful,” he said, urging all zonal and branch chairmen to ensure full compliance.

However, in a swift reaction Sunday night, the Federal Government warned ASUU against disrupting academic activities, threatening to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy if the strike goes ahead.

In a joint statement signed by Minister of Education, Prof. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, the government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving ASUU’s grievances through dialogue.

“The Federal Government has demonstrated sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the union,” the statement said.

The ministers noted that several of ASUU’s concerns, including improved teaching allowances and better working conditions, have been addressed, while others are being handled by the reconstituted university governing councils.

“Despite these efforts, ASUU has opted for strike action. This does not reflect a spirit of cooperation or fairness to students and the public,” the ministers said, adding that the Tinubu administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda is determined to maintain academic stability.

They warned that the “no work, no pay” policy remains an extant labour law and would be enforced should the strike disrupt academic calendars.

The government appealed to ASUU to reconsider its position and return to the negotiation table, assuring that it remains open to constructive engagement to prevent further disruption in the education sector.