The Federal Government has directed all federal universities to enforce the no-work, no-pay policy against striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a circular dated October 13 and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government, expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to embark on a nationwide strike despite ongoing negotiations. The minister said the policy aligns with labour laws that prevent payment of salaries to workers who fail to perform their duties during strike actions.
According to the statement obtained by Mediaplusng.com, Alausa instructed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to strictly apply the directive. He also ordered a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff members to identify those who are present and actively performing their duties.
The circular added that members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the strike, are exempted from the directive.
The minister further instructed that salaries be withheld from lecturers who fail to report to duty, while the National Universities Commission (NUC) has been directed to monitor compliance and submit a detailed report within seven days
Mediaplusng.com reports that ASUU began a two-week warning strike on October 13, citing unresolved issues including the implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, unpaid salaries, and improved funding for university revitalisation
However, the federal government insists that most of ASUU’s demands have already been addressed and that it remains open to continued dialogue to end the dispute.
