The federal government has ordered vice-chancellors of Nigeria public universities to stop with immediate effect the salaries of lecturers who are on strike.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) had issued a memo containing the no-work-no-pay rule to universities and inter-varsity centres.
The memo, signed by S.B. Ramon-Yusuf, director, research, information and technology, instructed that any attempt to pay the workers’ salaries from any other sources would be termed as a violation of extant rules and government’s directives.
The directive was issued in reaction to the indefinite strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on November 5.
“In view of the current Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Federal Government has directed that there shall be no payment of any form of salaries and allowances to the staff on strike in federal and inter-varsity centres,” the memo read.
“Consequently, I am to direct vice-chancellors to apply the “No-work-no-pay” rule. However, universities and inter-varsity centres are to pay salaries and allowances to non-teaching staff. All Vice-Chancellors and Directors of Centers should note that the salaries to staff on strike from whatever source of funds shall be viewed as violation of extant rules and directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Following an inconclusive agreement in its negotiation with the federal government, the national president of ASSU, Abiodun Ogunyemi on Thursday said students may spend more time at home.
