The Federal Government has reiterated that the “No Work, No Pay” policy remains an existing labour law in Nigeria and will guide its actions during the ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a statement issued on Sunday by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the government said while it continues to show goodwill and flexibility, it will not compromise fairness and accountability in the use of public funds.
The statement reassured students, parents, and the public that the government remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony within the tertiary education sector. It added that the Minister of Education has urged all academic unions to prioritize dialogue and partnership over confrontation in the interest of the nation’s higher education system.
ASUU on Sunday announced a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike across public universities in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference at the University of Abuja, ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union had no choice but to proceed with the strike after its 14-day ultimatum, issued on September 28, expired without meaningful response from the government.
He said all ASUU branches nationwide had been directed to commence full withdrawal of services from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025, in line with the resolution of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Last week, the Federal Government appealed to ASUU to suspend its planned strike, assuring that it is committed to addressing the union’s outstanding demands.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said progress was being made in the ongoing negotiations, noting that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee had been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track discussions with both academic and non-academic unions.
Alausa added that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all necessary measures be taken to prevent further disruptions in the country’s tertiary institutions.

