Former lawmaker and one-time presidential aide has called on the Federal Government to initiate contempt proceedings against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its ongoing strike.
In an interview on Wednesday in Abuja, Enang, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), argued that ASUU’s industrial action violated an existing court ruling which stipulates that university lecturers are not entitled to salaries during strike periods.
ASUU began a two-week warning strike on October 13 to press for long-standing demands, including improved funding, university autonomy, and the payment of withheld salaries.
Enang described the strike as an attempt to pressure the Federal Government into disobeying the court order. “They are going on strike to compel the Federal Government to disobey a court order. If you want to go on strike, you must acknowledge that under the law which governs you, you forfeit your salary for that period,” he said.
He compared the situation with global practices, noting that in countries like the U.S. and U.K., unions maintain strike funds to support members since employees are not paid during industrial actions.
“My advice to ASUU is to call off the strike and return to work while continuing negotiations with the Federal Government,” Enang said, stressing the government’s duty not only to ASUU but also to students whose education is being disrupted.
He reiterated that all major issues raised by ASUU have been addressed “passionately” by the Federal Ministry of Education and questioned the rationale for the renewed strike threat.
Citing international labour conventions and Nigeria’s Trade Disputes Act, Enang stressed that the “no work, no pay” policy is legal and aligned with global best practices. He warned that any attempt by the government to pay striking lecturers could itself constitute contempt of court.
Enang commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for instructing Vice-Chancellors not to pay salaries to striking lecturers, and urged the minister to go further by filing contempt charges against ASUU to reinforce respect for court orders.
He concluded by advocating for constructive dialogue while emphasizing that legal boundaries must be upheld by all parties involved.