Vice-Chancellors of all federal universities have been ordered to o immediately implement the “No Work, No Pay” policy against academic staff who are on the strike called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the order in a circular on Monday in Abuja, saying the Ministry was disappointed by the insisted of ASUU ot5o down tools despite repeated appeals for dialogue and resolution of outstanding issues affecting the tertiary education sector.
The circular with reference number HME/FME/CORR.GEN./VOL.4/15, orders all Vice-Chancellors to strictly apply the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, adding that no employee should receive remuneration for duties not performed during the strike period.
“To ensure strict compliance, the Education Ministry outlined a series of immediate actions for university heads. Vice-Chancellors have been instructed to conduct a physical headcount and roll call of all academic staff, prepare a comprehensive report identifying those actively performing their duties and those absent, and ensure that salaries are withheld for staff who fail to work during the strike period,” the circular read.
Dr. Alausa however exempted members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA)—two groups not participating in the strike—from any salary deductions.
He also ordered the National Universities Commission (NUC) to monitor compliance and submit a consolidated report to the Ministry within seven days.
This move, the government says, is part of efforts to restore accountability and discipline within the university system.
The minister urged Vice-Chancellors to implement the order “with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest,” saying there was the need to ensure the stability and integrity of the country’s higher education sector.
