FG threatens not to pay ASUU over nationwide strike

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), threatening to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy if academic activities are disrupted due to the union’s action.

In a joint statement released on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving ASUU’s grievances through dialogue.

“The Federal Government has demonstrated demonstrable sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the Union,” the statement read.

The ministers noted that most of ASUU’s concerns, such as increased teaching allowances and improved conditions of service, have been addressed. Other issues, they said, fall under the jurisdiction of university governing councils, which have been reconstituted to handle them.

“Despite these efforts, ASUU has opted for strike action. This action does not reflect a spirit of cooperation or fairness to the students and the public,” the ministers stated, adding that the government had met its deadline for presenting its position.

They added that under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government emphasised its priority to maintain academic stability.

However, they warned, “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.”

The statement urged ASUU to reconsider its stance and return to dialogue, stressing that “government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.”

ASUU on Sunday declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13.

The union is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.

Others are payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).

What do you think can be the lasting solution to the ASUU strike in Nigeria? Let’s know your views in the comment.