The Federal Government has warned that it will enforce the no-work-no-pay policy if university lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) proceed with their planned strike on Monday, October 13.
In a statement issued on Sunday night by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, the government accused ASUU of refusing to cooperate despite several efforts to prevent the industrial action.
“The government has continued to prioritise the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.
The ministry stressed that dialogue remains the best way to settle disputes in the education sector and that the government is open to further engagement with the union.
However, it warned that the law would guide its actions if ASUU disrupts academic activities.
“The ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an existing labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted,” the statement said.
The Federal Government assured students, parents, and the general public of its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in universities.
“While the government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, it will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,” the ministry added.
The statement also urged ASUU and other academic unions to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation for the good of the nation’s higher education system.
According to the ministry, ongoing education reforms are meant to “enhance teaching and research conditions, promote university autonomy, and create an environment of mutual respect, productivity, and innovation.”
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ASUU had earlier announced a total and comprehensive warning strike starting Monday, citing the government’s failure to meet its long-standing demands.
The union is calling for the completion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, and better funding for public universities.
Other demands include the revitalisation of universities, an end to the victimisation of lecturers at LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO, as well as payment of outstanding salary arrears, promotion arrears, and withheld cooperative and union deductions.
The face-off raises fresh fears of another round of disruptions in Nigeria’s university system, which has already suffered multiple strikes in recent years.