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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has defiantly rejected the Federal Government’s enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy, insisting that no amount of intimidation or threats will force the union to abandon its struggle for better conditions in Nigeria’s public universities.
ASUU President, *Dr. Chris Piwuna, made the declaration on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he accused the government of resorting to divisive tactics instead of addressing the root causes of the lecturers’ grievances.
“We don’t respond to threats, and nobody can threaten us,” Piwuna stated firmly.
He alleged that the government had been making covert efforts to weaken the union by engaging other academic associations, including the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), with promises of preferential treatment and salary payments.
“He is threatening us, writing to NAMDA and CONUA, telling them they can get their salaries. He wants to divide us, but we are united in this matter,” Piwuna said.
The ASUU leader, however, maintained that the government’s plan had failed, claiming that solidarity among university and tertiary education unions remains strong.
“CONUA is with us, NAMDA is with us, SSANU is with us, NASU is with us. The polytechnics and colleges of education are also with us,” he added, referencing the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) among those standing in support.
Piwuna also directed a sharp rebuke at the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, urging him to stop issuing threats and focus instead on finding lasting solutions to the crisis.
“He had better sit down and solve this problem or he will fail in trying to divide us,” he warned.
Despite the government’s hardline approach, Piwuna revealed that ASUU remains open to constructive engagement and confirmed that communication had already been initiated by the Minister of State for Labour.
“Today, I received a call from the Minister of State for Labour. She said she has been directed to intervene and get this matter resolved. ASUU is willing. We are ready and available to discuss this matter once and for all,” he said.
The renewed standoff comes as tensions heighten between ASUU and the Federal Government following a directive to vice-chancellors of federal universities to immediately enforce the “No Work, No Pay” rule on lecturers participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.
ASUU had on Monday commenced a two-week warning strike, demanding the implementation of previous agreements, improved welfare, and revitalisation funding for Nigeria’s public universities—issues that have repeatedly stalled academic activities across the country.
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