Tinubu’s government orders physical headcount of lecturers in Nigerian universities

The Federal Government, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has moved to enforce compliance with its directive by mandating an immediate roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff across federal universities.

In a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and addressed to vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and other key education stakeholders, the government reaffirmed its position on the “no work, no pay” policy.

The circular was also distributed to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

According to the circular, vice-chancellors have been directed to conduct physical verification by taking roll call and head count of lecturers on campus to determine who is actively performing their duties and who is absent due to the industrial action.

“In line with existing labour regulations, any employee who fails to discharge official duties during a strike period will not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” the circular stated.

According to the circular, vice-chancellors have been directed to conduct physical verification by taking roll call and head count of lecturers on campus to determine who is actively performing their duties and who is absent due to the industrial action.

“In line with existing labour regulations, any employee who fails to discharge official duties during a strike period will not be entitled to remuneration for that period,” the circular stated.

Dr. Alausa expressed the government’s disappointment over ASUU’s decision to proceed with the strike “despite ongoing engagement efforts,” adding that the administration “would no longer condone disruptions to the academic calendar.”

University administrators are now expected to compile detailed reports distinguishing between staff who are present and working, and those who have joined the strike. These records will be used to determine salary entitlements in line with the “no work, no pay enforcement.

The circular also made it clear that academic staff who are not part of ASUU’s industrial action — specifically members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA)—“should continue to receive their full entitlements.”