By our reporter
The Federal Government has ordered an immediate physical headcount of academic staff in all federal universities across the country. The directive comes as lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, continue their participation in a nationwide strike.
In a circular issued by the Ministry of Education and signed by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, university Vice Chancellors were instructed to carry out the headcount and submit detailed reports distinguishing staff who are on duty from those who are absent.
The government emphasized that the exercise is part of efforts to enforce the No Work, No Pay policy. According to the Ministry, lecturers who fail to perform their duties during the strike period will not be paid salaries.
As part of the enforcement of the No Work, No Pay policy, all Vice Chancellors are hereby directed to carry out a physical verification and attendance record of all academic staff in their institutions, the statement read.
The directive also stated that the National Universities Commission, NUC, will monitor the process and compile a compliance report to be submitted within seven days.
The government clarified that academic staff under other unions, such as the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA, are exempt from the sanctions, as they are not part of the ongoing strike.
In response to the order, ASUU dismissed the move as an intimidation tactic and reaffirmed its commitment to the strike action. The union’s national president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, said the government’s approach would not force members to abandon their demands.
We are not surprised by this action. It is consistent with the government’s pattern of using threats instead of meaningful dialogue, Osodeke stated. Our members remain committed to the struggle, and we will not be intimidated into submission.
The decision has sparked public debate, with some seeing it as a necessary step to maintain order, while others argue it will escalate tensions between the government and university workers.
Education analysts have warned that unless urgent dialogue resumes, the current standoff could deepen the crisis in Nigeria’s already strained university system. Students across the country remain affected by the disruption in academic activities, with no clear resolution in sight.
As both sides remain firm in their positions, the education sector watches closely to see what comes next in the standoff between the government and striking lecturers.
