The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s ‘No Work, No Pay’ directive, insisting that threats will not intimidate the union.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, made the statement on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He affirmed that the union remained united and would not be divided by what he described as the government’s attempt to split the academic community.
“We don’t respond to threats, and nobody can threaten us,” Piwuna said.
He further explained that other academic bodies, including the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), stand in solidarity with ASUU’s strike.
“He is threatening us by writing to NAMDA and CONUA, telling them they can get their salaries.
”He wants to divide us, but we are united. CONUA is with us, NAMDA is with us, SSANU is with us, NASU is with us. The polytechnics and colleges of education are also with us,” he stated.
Piwuna advised the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to focus on resolving the ongoing dispute rather than issuing threats.
“He had better sit down and solve this problem or he will fail in trying to divide us,” Piwuna said.
However, the union remains open to dialogue. Piwuna revealed that he received a call from the Minister of State for Labour, indicating a willingness to intervene and resolve the matter.
“ASUU is willing and ready to discuss this matter once and for all,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, the Federal Government issued a circular instructing universities to enforce the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy against lecturers participating in the ongoing two-week warning strike.
The directive, signed by the Education Minister, expressed displeasure over ASUU’s strike despite ongoing negotiations.
“In line with extant labour laws, the Federal Government reiterates its position on enforcing ‘No Work, No Pay’ against employees failing to discharge official duties during the strike,” the circular read.
Vice-chancellors were ordered to conduct roll calls and physical headcounts of academic staff, submitting reports on staff attendance. Workers under CONUA and NAMDA, who are not part of the strike, are exempt.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been directed to monitor compliance and report within seven days.
The Federal Government insists all ASUU demands have been addressed and the strike is unnecessary. ASUU, however, maintains that no meaningful progress has been made.
On Sunday, ASUU announced a two-week nationwide warning strike affecting all public universities. The decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28, 2025.
“There has been no substantial response from the relevant authorities, so all ASUU branches have been directed to commence a full withdrawal of services.
