Federal Government Enforces No Work No Pay Policy Against Striking ASUU Members

The Federal Ministry of Education has directed all Nigerian university vice-chancellors to implement the "No Work, No Pay" policy against academic staff participating in the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike action.

This directive, issued in October 2025, requires university management to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of all academic staff. Vice-chancellors must submit comprehensive reports identifying staff members who are present at work versus those who are absent or participating in the strike.

What This Means for University Staff

Under this policy, salaries will be withheld for academic staff who fail to perform their official duties during the work stoppage. The government has cited existing provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation as the legal basis for this enforcement measure.

Exemptions from the Policy

Two academic unions are exempt from this salary withholding:

• Congress of University Academics (CONUA) - Members who are not participating in the strike
• National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) - Members who continue working during the action

Staff belonging to these unions will continue receiving their salaries as normal, provided they remain at their posts.

Impact on Students

For students, this development signals the government's firm stance on the ongoing industrial action. While the policy aims to pressure striking lecturers back to work, its effectiveness remains to be seen. Students should stay informed through their university's official communication channels for updates on academic calendars and resumption dates.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between ASUU's demands and the federal government's position on university funding and working conditions.