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Universities Shut as FG Enforces ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy

On Monday, universities throughout Nigeria fully adhered to the strike announced by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), bringing Universities Shut down.

Consequently, the federal government instructed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to enforce the ‘no-work-no-pay’ policy against ASUU members.

BusinessDay observed that almost all federal universities in Nigeria were closed on Monday, with students seen wandering around various campuses.

Idou Keinde, the ASUU branch chairman at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), shared with BusinessDay via a phone conversation that the university was completely compliant with the instructions from the union’s national president.

“Who would disregard the directives from the national office? Our union doesn’t have that; everyone is on board,” he stated.

At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, all academic activities were suspended.

Ifeanyi Abada, an ASUU leader at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, mentioned that the institution has begun enforcing the strike as mandated by the national leadership of the union.

“We are currently in the examination period, but ASUU has initiated the enforcement, stopping the examinations,” he noted.

In Otuoke, no academic activities took place. Stanley Boroh, a senior lecturer at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, remarked that in accordance with ASUU policy, all branches were required to announce a strike, which the university has indeed done.

“We’ve undertaken a complete and total strike, and all academic activities have been suspended,” he explained.

Amaka Nwachukwu, a student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), verified the strike at her institution when she stated, “We went to school today, and they sent us back since ASUU is on strike,” she remarked.

Likewise, at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Emmanuella Adeyemo, a student, confirmed that the university adhered to the directives of ASUU national leaders, leaving students stranded on campus without classes.

It is worth noting that on Sunday, October 12, ASUU had declared a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike affecting all public universities in Nigeria.

Chris Piwuna, the national president of ASUU, indicated that no significant progress had been made to deter the union from proceeding with its intended industrial action.

Piwuna stressed that the 14-day notice, provided on September 28, had lapsed without any meaningful response from the relevant authorities.

He instructed all ASUU branches throughout the nation to initiate a complete withdrawal of their services commencing at midnight on Monday, October 13.

Mixed realities emerged

Princess Ofia, a student of Nasarawa State University, confirmed that exams were presently taking place at her institution. In contrast, Jemima Samuel from Benue State University reported that her university was on strike, and students were leaving their hostels.

However, a student from the University of Abuja, named Chidi, remarked, “Non-academic staff are present on campus, yet no lectures are actively happening,” he added.

For Aldrich Akpomon, another student from the University of Abuja, the ongoing uncertainty is emotionally challenging. “I just want to graduate. I can’t spend more time at home doing nothing. We’ve experienced enough delays,” he expressed.

UniJos campus empty

The University of Jos also participated in the two-week warning strike on Monday.

When BusinessDay visited the university, the classrooms were vacant, and there was a lack of activity.

The university’s main gate was partially shut, indicating restricted access, while students hung around aimlessly. Notably, academic staff were absent from campus, following the nationwide strike directive issued by ASUU’s national leadership.

Jurbe Joseph Molwus, a professor and head of the ASUU chapter at UniJos, confirmed the news in a phone interview with BusinessDay. He mentioned that the branch had completely followed the national directive and that there would be no reversal until further notice. “We are on strike completely. There is no turning back,” he emphasized.

Closure at FULafia

No academic activities occurred at the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) on Monday.

Sunday Orinya, the ASUU chairman at FULafia, verified this information in an interview, explaining that the choice to participate in the strike was unanimously decided during a congress meeting held on Monday.

He stated that the union had formally informed the university administration of its decision and was observing the situation to ensure complete compliance across all departments.

“The strike is absolute. There will be no classes, accreditation, or supervision of students’ theses. All academic activities, whether for part-time or full-time students, are halted for the duration of the two-week warning strike,” Orinya confirmed.