The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s No Work, No Pay directive, saying the union will not bow to intimidation or threats.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, made this known on Monday while speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme. He said the government’s approach was an attempt to divide the academic community, but the union remains united and determined to defend the rights of its members.
> “We don’t respond to threats, and nobody can threaten us,” Piwuna said firmly.
According to him, all academic groups, including the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), and other sister unions, stand in solidarity with ASUU over the ongoing strike.
Piwuna accused the government of trying to divide lecturers by reaching out to other associations and offering them preferential treatment. However, he maintained that the unions remain united in their demands for fair treatment and improved conditions across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
> “He is writing to NAMDA and CONUA, telling them they can get their salaries. He wants to divide us, but we are united in this matter,” the ASUU President said.
He also advised the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to stop issuing threats and instead focus on finding lasting solutions to the dispute. “He had better sit down and solve this problem or he will fail in trying to divide us,” Piwuna added.
Speaking further, Piwuna confirmed that the union is open to dialogue. He said ASUU recently received communication from the Minister of State for Labour, who expressed interest in resolving the crisis.
> “ASUU is willing. We are ready and available to discuss this matter once and for all,” he stated.
The comments come amid growing tension as the Federal Government insists on enforcing the No Work, No Pay policy against lecturers who joined the ongoing warning strike.
ASUU has maintained that the strike is aimed at pressing home its long-standing demands for better funding, fair remuneration, and improved infrastructure across Nigerian universities.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the latest standoff between ASUU and the Federal Government adds to the recurring disputes that have disrupted academic calendars and affected millions of students across the country.
