The federal government Monday commenced enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy against any member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who joined the two-week warning strike embarked upon by the union October 13.
In a letter obtained by Blueprint, dated October 13, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed vice-chancellors (VCs) of federal universities to ensure strict application of the provision, which requires immediate actions.
He directed the VCs “to conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in your institution, submit a comprehensive report, clearly indicating staff who are present and performing their official duties and those absent or participating in the strike.”
Alausa also directed the VCs to ensure that salary payment for the period of work stoppage is withheld from those who failed to perform their duties.
The minister also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to monitor compliance with the directive and submit a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days of the circular.
The letter read: “The Federal Ministry of Education views with dissatisfaction the reports of the ongoing industrial action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) despite repeated calls for the union to embrace constructive dialogue as the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.
“In line with extant provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action.
“Accordingly, all Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities are hereby directed to ensure strict application of this provision, which require immediate actions as follows: I. Conduct a roll call and physical headcount of all academic staff in your institution;
“II. Submit a comprehensive report, clearly indicating staff who are present and performing their official duties, and those absent or participating in the strike; and III. Ensure that salary payment for the period of work stoppage is withheld from those who fail to perform their duties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, academic staff who are members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not participating in the strike action, are exempted from this directive and shall not be subjected to any form of salary withholding.
“The National Universities Commission (NUC) will monitor compliance with this directive and submit a consolidated report to the Ministry within seven days of receipt of this circular. Please, treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in national interest.”
…Count us out of strike – CONUA
Dissociating itself from the industrial action, the leadership of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) Monday stated categorically that it has not declared any strike action, adding that it was not part of any ongoing strike.
CONUA made its position known at a press briefing in Abuja, where it insisted that the recent misinformation has created unnecessary confusion within the academic community and students.
Flanked by the chapter secretary, Professor Issa Abdulraheem, its publicity secretary, Mr Yusuf Bolakale Suleiman and other executives, the chairman of the University of Abuja chapter, Professor Abdul Dahiru Ardo Buba, urged members to continue performing their academic and administrative duties, engage with students and attend to other professional responsibilities.
The Congress restated its unwavering focus on building a sustainable, innovative, and productive academic environment that serves the interests of students, scholars, and the nation.
The body called on the Vice Chancellors to ensure the safety and protection of CONUA members as they continue their legitimate duties within their respective institutions.
Buba said: “CONUA remains deeply committed to academic stability, excellence, and the smooth functioning of Nigeria’s Universities through constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement with government and all stakeholders.”
While further justifying the Congress stance, Buba emphasised that: “It is important to emphasise that CONUA has no basis at this time to declare a dispute or embark on any strike action.
“CONUA remains deeply committed to academic stability, excellence, and the smooth functioning of Nigeria’s Universities through constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement with government and all stakeholders,”
Also speaking, Yusuf said dialogue was key; stressing that there should be a change of tactics in the 21st century.
“I have a lecture this afternoon, and my students are aware of that,” he added.
The spokesperson, who insisted that every student has rights to education, stated further that there was no industrial action.
Speaking Sunday at a press briefing at the University of Abuja, National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, had said the two-week deadline it earlier gave the federal government elapsed September 28, hence the declaration of the strike.
Piwuna, who said the warning strike shall be total and comprehensive, further added that there was nothing sufficient to stop implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on the two-week warning strike.
In rejecting the union’s decision to go on strike, the federal government said the university teachers failed to revert to the government even after the latter had concluded and resolved the grey areas.