The federal government (FG) has ordered vice-chancellors (VC) of all federal universities to conduct physical attendance checks and submit detailed reports of academic staff as the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced on Monday, October 13, 2025.
A circular signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, warned that salaries of staff participating in the strike would be withheld, while members of other academic unions not involved, such as CONUA and NAMDA, will continue to receive full pay.
The circular expressed disappointment over ASUU’s decision to strike despite ongoing negotiations and stressed that the government would strictly enforce labor laws to protect the academic calendar.
ASUU Shuts Down Academic Activities In Varsities
Academic activities were brought to a halt at several federal and state universities, including the University of Abuja, University of Jos, University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Alex Ekwueme Federal University (AE-FUNAI), Abia State University (ABSU), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Cross River (UNICROSS), University of Ibadan (UI), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Most campuses reported locked lecture halls and offices, with little to no staff or student activity.
In Bayero University Kano (BUK), partial activities allowed students sitting for examinations to complete their papers before the strike fully took effect.
CONUA Members Continue Lectures Amid Strike
While the majority of academic staff fully complied with the strike directive, some CONUA members continued teaching in select universities.
The union urged its members to maintain professional duties, engage with students, and ensure continuity in academic activities wherever possible.
NLC Condemns Government Threats
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the federal government’s threat to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy.
NLC President Joe Ajaero described the ASUU strike as a legitimate response to years of unfulfilled agreements and underfunding of public tertiary institutions.
“The strike is not an act of defiance but a response to government neglect,” he said, urging constructive dialogue rather than coercion.
ASUU Demands and Government Stance
ASUU’s two-week warning strike aims to press for the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, payment of promotion arrears, revitalization of universities, and settlement of outstanding salary differentials.
The federal government, however, maintains that most of these demands have already been addressed and insists that the strike is unjustified.