The Federal Government has reiterated its “no work, no pay” stance as university lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embark on another nationwide strike over unfulfilled agreements.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said in Abuja that the government would not bow to pressure to pay salaries for periods of strike action, emphasizing that public institutions cannot continue to operate under “a culture of disruption.”
The strike, which began after the expiration of ASUU’s ultimatum, seeks to address issues such as unpaid allowances, funding for university revitalization, and the implementation of the 2020 Memorandum of Action. Universities nationwide have since shut down, leaving millions of students stranded.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, accused the government of insincerity, alleging that key agreements reached earlier in the year were ignored. “We have shown restraint for months, but our patience has limits,” he said.
Students’ groups and parents’ associations have urged both sides to resume dialogue to prevent further academic setbacks. Analysts warn that the strike could aggravate Nigeria’s education crisis and trigger another wave of brain drain among academics.
