ASUU Begins Two-Week Warning Strike as FG Enforces ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy

Academic activities were halted across public universities nationwide on Monday following the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) decision to commence a two-week warning strike. The industrial action comes after negotiations between the union and the Federal Government collapsed.

ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike in Abuja on Sunday, declaring that it was necessary to press home the union’s long-standing demands.

In response, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) and vice-chancellors to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy. The directive, issued in a circular on Monday, ordered universities to conduct a headcount of academic staff within seven days and submit attendance records to the NUC.

According to the circular, the government reiterated its stance that any employee who fails to perform official duties during the strike period would forfeit their salary. However, members of the Congress of University Academics and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics were exempted, as they are not part of the strike.

Professor Piwuna, reacting on a news program on Monday, said ASUU would not be intimidated by government threats. “We do not respond to threats. ASUU members are victims of this government’s negligence just like the students. We remain open to genuine dialogue” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared full support for ASUU. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, criticized the ‘no work, no pay’ policy, calling it “an act of intimidation” that would not resolve the crisis in tertiary education. He urged the government to use the two-week window to address the union’s demands, warning that the NLC would take further action if the issues remained unresolved.

Across campuses, compliance with the strike was total. At Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, ASUU Chairman, Haruna Jibril, confirmed full participation, saying the strike represents the collective will of the academic community. Similar reports came from the University of Uyo, University of Jos, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, among others, where classrooms were deserted and lectures suspended.

In Makurdi, ASUU Chairman at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Dr. Terseer Abari, confirmed that the chapter had joined the action despite ongoing examinations. At the University of Ibadan, Branch Chairman Adefemi Afolabi said academic activities were fully suspended as lecturers monitored compliance across faculties.

The warning strike has disrupted the academic calendar in several universities, leaving students uncertain about the resumption of lectures. Many expressed frustration over the repeated disruptions caused by industrial actions.

ASUU insists that the strike is not for personal gain but for the survival of Nigeria’s public universities, the welfare of staff, and the future of students.