NEWS
FG Warns ASUU Against Strike, Insists On ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy
The Federal Government has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) against embarking on another strike, stressing that any disruption to the academic calendar will attract the enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy.
This was made known in a joint statement by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, issued by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry.
The Ministers expressed disappointment that ASUU has continued to threaten industrial action despite what they described as the government’s sincere efforts and substantial progress in meeting the union’s demands.
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“Virtually all the concerns raised by ASUU have been addressed. The few remaining matters are those that rightfully fall within the jurisdiction of the governing councils of the respective universities,” the statement read.
According to them, the Federal Government has demonstrated “sincerity, patience, and goodwill” in its engagements with the union, adding that the administration has already improved the conditions of service for academic staff and introduced a significant teaching allowance.
They noted that while the government had met its obligations within the agreed timelines, ASUU had failed to reciprocate the gesture, choosing instead to continue agitation for a strike.
“The government had met the deadline for presenting its position to the union as agreed, yet instead of reverting to the Ministry in continuation of dialogue, ASUU has chosen to proceed with strike action,” the statement added.
The Ministers warned that the Federal Government would not hesitate to enforce existing labour laws if the union goes ahead with any strike that disrupts academic activities.
“The ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted,” the Ministers emphasized.
They reaffirmed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the welfare of lecturers and the stability of the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path to resolving disagreements, and government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector,” the statement further noted.
The government assured students, parents, and the public that it would continue to pursue industrial harmony in universities, urging ASUU and other unions to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation.
The Ministers restated that the government’s education reform agenda seeks to strengthen university governance, enhance teaching and research conditions, and promote institutional autonomy.
“Government continues to demonstrate goodwill and flexibility but will not abdicate its responsibility to uphold fairness and accountability in the use of public resources,” they concluded.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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