Abuja, Nigeria — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly rejected the Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy, declaring that the union will not be threatened or silenced by such measures.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

ASUU, in a firm statement on Monday, said the policy was unjust and aimed at weakening the union’s legitimate struggle for better funding and working conditions in Nigerian universities. The union warned that intimidation tactics would not stop its members from demanding fairness and respect for agreements previously signed with the government.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, an ASUU spokesperson said the union’s position remains clear — its fight is not only about salaries but also about the future of Nigeria’s public universities. “We will not be intimidated by any directive or threat. Our stand is for the survival and proper funding of public universities,” the official stated.

The Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” directive was introduced as a response to past industrial actions by ASUU. The policy means that lecturers who go on strike will not receive payment for the period they were absent from work. The government insists the rule is fair and in line with labor laws.

However, ASUU maintains that the policy is discriminatory, pointing out that government officials and political appointees receive their full benefits even when they fail to deliver on their duties. “When politicians fail to perform, no one withholds their pay,” the spokesperson added. “But when lecturers fight for better education, they are punished. That is not justice.”

The union also criticized what it called the government’s “insincere approach” to resolving lingering issues affecting the education sector. ASUU said the challenges go beyond wages, listing poor infrastructure, lack of research funding, and unpaid academic allowances as major problems that continue to affect the quality of education.

“The ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule will not fix the broken system,” ASUU noted. “Instead of threats, the government should fulfill its promises and invest in education. That is the only way to stop strikes permanently.”

Education analysts say the renewed tension between ASUU and the government could lead to another round of disputes if not properly managed. Many students and parents have expressed worry that a fresh crisis might disrupt the academic calendar again, following previous long strikes that crippled learning across the country.

Some students have also appealed for dialogue between both parties to avoid another shutdown. “We just resumed after months at home. We can’t go through that again,” said a student from the University of Lagos.

Meanwhile, government officials have continued to defend the “No Work, No Pay” policy, saying it encourages accountability and discourages unnecessary strikes. The Ministry of Education reiterated that the administration is committed to dialogue but expects unions to respect the laws of the land.

Despite these assurances, ASUU insists that dialogue without sincerity is meaningless. The union said it will continue to advocate for improved conditions and better funding for universities, stressing that quality education is the foundation of national development.

“The future of Nigeria’s youth depends on what we do today,” ASUU’s spokesperson said. “We will continue to stand for what is right, even in the face of intimidation.”