NLC Condemns No Work No Pay Policy as intimidation, urging FG to honour ASUU agreements and end the deepening crisis in Nigeria’s education system

NLC Condemns No Work No Pay Policy as unjust intimidation, warning that the Federal Government’s stance against striking lecturers will only deepen the crisis in Nigeria’s university system.

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In a statement released on Monday and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was a legitimate reaction to the Federal Government’s failure to honour agreements voluntarily entered into.

Ajaero argued that the government’s repeated refusal to implement these agreements has eroded trust and weakened public universities.

“The commencement of a two-week warning strike by ASUU is a direct consequence of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour collectively bargained agreements.

This action is a necessary response to the neglect of a fundamental pillar of our society,” the NLC said.

The labour leader described the planned enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy as a “misrepresentation of justice,” adding that the fault lies with government in breaching contractual commitments.

“The breach of contract lies with the state, not the scholars. The lecturers are willing to work, but the government, by reneging on its commitments, has made it impossible for them to do so with the dignity and conditions their profession deserves,” Ajaero said.

The NLC noted that the crisis in the education sector goes beyond an industrial dispute, describing it as a reflection of Nigeria’s widening inequality.

“While the children of the elite attend private or foreign institutions, those of ordinary citizens are left in an underfunded public system.

This creates an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality,” the statement read.

Reaffirming its solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary unions, the NLC urged the Federal Government to address all outstanding issues immediately.

The congress warned that it would convene an emergency meeting of its affiliates if the government fails to act by the end of the two-week warning strike.

“The struggle of ASUU is our struggle. The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone,” Ajaero concluded.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking lecturers.

The directive, issued in a circular dated 13 October 2025, was signed by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and copied to key federal agencies including the Head of Service of the Federation and the National Universities Commission.

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The impasse sets the stage for yet another standoff between university lecturers and the government a familiar battle that continues to test the resilience of Nigeria’s public education system.