FG Orders VCs To Enforce Attendance As ASUU Strike Grounds Universities

The Federal Government has instructed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to monitor staff attendance and ensure compliance with the “no work, no pay” policy as the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) takes effect.

The directive, issued in a circular dated October 13, 2025, was signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. It was distributed to key education stakeholders, including pro-chancellors, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.

Government officials expressed disappointment that ASUU embarked on a strike despite ongoing discussions to resolve their grievances. The circular instructed vice-chancellors to take immediate steps to conduct physical headcounts of academic staff and submit detailed reports on attendance. Salaries are to be withheld from those who fail to report for duty during the strike period.

The government maintained that it would no longer tolerate disruptions to the academic calendar, noting that only members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) not participating in the strike would receive full pay.

ASUU had on Sunday announced a two-week warning strike to press home demands for the completion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, revitalisation funds for public universities, payment of promotion arrears, and settlement of salary differentials.

In Abuja, activities at the University of Abuja came to a standstill as most classrooms remained locked. Only a few CONUA members were seen attending to students, while large parts of the campus were deserted.

The University of Jos also joined the strike, disrupting ongoing postgraduate programmes. Undergraduate students remain on break, leaving the campus quiet. In Kwara State, lecturers at the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University confirmed full participation after holding branch congresses to adopt the national directive.

In Ogun State, the strike spread to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Tai Solarin University of Education, and Olabisi Onabanjo University. Lecturers said they had no choice but to comply since the action was a national decision.

The situation was the same in Ebonyi, where lecturers at Ebonyi State University and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, joined the strike, suspending all academic work. In Abia State University, Uturu, the local chapter confirmed total compliance, noting that no alternative union was operating there.

Lecturers at the University of Calabar and the University of Cross River State also halted work, stating that they share the same salary structure with other federal universities. In Ibadan, activities were completely suspended at the University of Ibadan as lecture halls and offices were locked throughout Monday.

At Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, ASUU members confirmed that their branch joined the action by noon on Monday. The Congress of University Academics, however, continued routine administrative activities as students were yet to resume fully.

In Kano, Bayero University recorded partial compliance as students sitting for examinations were allowed to finish their papers before the shutdown.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) faulted the government’s reliance on threats, warning that enforcing the “no work, no pay” policy would only worsen the crisis. The union said the government’s failure to honour previous agreements was at the root of the strike and urged it to return to genuine dialogue with ASUU.

As the two-week warning strike enters its second day, academic activities across universities remain suspended, leaving students uncertain about when lectures will resume.