The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has threatened to invoke the principle of “No Work, No Pay” should the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) proceed with its strike.
The leadership of ASUU has directed the union’s branches nationwide to go on strike for two weeks over what it calls the FGN’s reluctance to meet its long-standing demands. ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the decision while briefing newsmen in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
However, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister for Education, and Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, in a joint press statement, disclosed that the FGN has made a comprehensive offer to the union and is still awaiting ASUU’s official response.
According to the ministers, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) has approved a robust teaching allowance designed to reflect the value of academic work and motivate lecturers across public universities.
“All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled. The federal government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received,” part of the statement reads.
The ministers reaffirmed that the administration of PBAT remains unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian lecturers and the stability of the university system.
They therefore called on ASUU to reconsider its decision to embark on an industrial strike, emphasising that constructive dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.
