The Federal Government on Sunday night warned that it may invoke the no-work-no-pay policy against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following the union’s declaration of a two-week warning strike across public universities.

In a statement issued by Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, the government accused ASUU of being uncooperative despite sustained efforts to avert the industrial action.

The statement quoted the Ministers of Education as saying that the government remains committed to the welfare of university staff and the stability of the academic calendar under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements, and the government remains open to engagement at all levels to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector,” the statement read.

The ministers, however, emphasised that the no-work-no-pay policy is an existing labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that the government would be guided by it should the strike halt academic activities in the nation’s 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 further reassured Nigerian students, parents, and the public that the Federal Government is committed to maintaining industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.

It also appealed to academic unions to embrace dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation, in the collective interest of the education sector.

The government reiterated that its education reform agenda is designed to enhance teaching and research conditions, promote institutional autonomy, strengthen university governance, and foster an environment of mutual respect, productivity, and innovation.

ASUU had on Sunday announced a total and comprehensive warning strike effective Monday, October 13, over what it described as government’s failure to address lingering issues affecting the university system.

The union’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers at Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Other demands include the payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.