Strike may attract ‘no work, no pay’ – Federal Govt warns, threatens ASUU
Strike may attract ‘no work, no pay’ – Federal Govt warns, threatens ASUU
The Federal Government has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to opt for “constructive consultation instead of confrontation” following the union’s decision to commence a two-week warning strike starting today.
In a statement issued late Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government expressed disappointment over ASUU’s move to down tools, stating that “substantial progress” had been made during recent negotiations. Officials maintained that a majority of the union’s demands had already been addressed in good faith.
The strike, announced by ASUU President Professor Chris Piwuna, is in protest of what the union describes as the government’s failure to honour longstanding agreements. ASUU has also warned that the warning strike may escalate into an indefinite action if the unresolved issues persist.
Despite the union’s stance, the Ministry insists that the government has demonstrated “commitment and good faith” throughout the negotiation process.
“While we respect the right of unions to advocate for their members, we urge ASUU to consider the broader impact of prolonged academic disruptions on students and the education sector as a whole,” the Ministry stated.
The government further reiterated its openness to ongoing dialogue and encouraged ASUU to return to the negotiating table to find a sustainable resolution.
“While government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will equally enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system and ensure accountability,” the Ministry stated.
It further warned that invoking the “no work, no pay” policy remains a legal option should the strike halt academic activities nationwide.
The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, on behalf of Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa and Minister of State Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, said the government had tabled a comprehensive offer addressing key issues raised by ASUU—such as conditions of service, staff welfare, and institutional reforms.
“All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those that are within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled,” the Ministry said.
The ministers revealed that the negotiation involved senior officials from the ministries of Education and Labour, the Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation, among others.
However, they claimed ASUU failed to respond formally to the government’s proposals before announcing the strike.
An official involved in the negotiations questioned ASUU’s decision. He said: “What do the lecturers want? The government put all cards on the table and made offers that addressed almost all the requests, yet representatives of ASUU said they would go away with the offers before making known their response. But, they never did. Instead, they make good their strike threat. There is more to this.”
The ministers reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to staff welfare and education reform, noting that government actions have been guided by principles of fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening.
They also stressed the need to respect the autonomy of universities, explaining that certain issues raised by ASUU—especially those related to appointments and promotions—fall under the purview of governing councils.
Meanwhile, Prof. Piwuna said the strike became inevitable due to what he described as government’s “insensitivity” and failure to honour agreements, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, revitalisation funding, and settlement of salary arrears.
The union is also demanding an end to alleged victimisation of its members, payment of promotion arrears, and remittance of third-party deductions.
Prof. Piwuna said the action follows a 14-day ultimatum that expired yesterday, and urged Nigerians to pressure the government to act:
“We are doing this for the soul of public education in Nigeria.”
News
Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base
Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base
Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.
The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.
He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.
“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.
He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.
In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.
The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.
Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.
The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.
Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.
Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base
Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.
The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.
He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.
“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.
He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.
In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.
The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.
Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.
The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.
Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.
News
Federal Govt warns States against negotiating with Bandits
Federal Govt warns States against negotiating with Bandits
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged state governments across the country to stop engaging in negotiations with bandits, warning that such actions undermine national security efforts.
Musa made the call during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he expressed concern that dialogue with criminal groups weakens ongoing military operations.
According to him, reaching agreements with bandits often proves futile, as they cannot be trusted to honour their commitments.
He argued that many of the criminals lack genuine remorse and are likely to renege on any deals struck with them.
The minister disclosed that the Katsina State Government was cautioned over its recent decision to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits from custody.
However, the Katsina government had defended the action, describing the move as essential to consolidating community-driven peace agreements with “repentant bandits” in several local government areas.
“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out, those people are not real, whenever they come for reconciliation, they need something,” Musa spoke in Hausa language.
“What’s happening in Katsina we told them, don’t ever make the mistake of reconciling with those people, they are liars.
“We begged people to stop negotiating with them and the government should stop. It’s not right and they will surely come back again. They don’t fear God.
“We already informed them it damages our work, we asked them to stop, you know it’s democracy now not military rule. But we are in talk with them.”
The defence minister refuted claim that the federal government pays ransom to kidnappers.
“Paying ransom is not good. People should stop paying ransom when they kidnap people. Report should be made and actions will be taken.”
“Federal government doesn’t pay for ransom. It might be other people and they are doing that on their own.”
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