The Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to implement its No Work, No Pay’ policy against striking university lecturers.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), had on Sunday declared a total strike across Nigerian universities.

The action is expected to last for two weeks.

However, the government has asked the union to shelve the action.

It warned that if the lecturers go on with the action, they would not be paid within the period.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday.

The Federal Government emphasised that constructive dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.

In a joint statement, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, disclosed that the Federal Government has made a comprehensive offer to the union and is still awaiting ASUU’s official response.

They emphasised that the offer addresses the union’s primary concerns, including working conditions, institutional governance, and staff welfare.

The Ministers noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved a robust Teaching Allowance designed to reflect the value of academic work and motivate lecturers across public universities.

“All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled. The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received,” the statement read.

They emphasised that the federal government has approached the matter with demonstrable commitment and sincerity, evident in its prompt policy responses and financial interventions in the education sector. However, ASUU has not reciprocated this gesture and appears determined to proceed with the planned strike despite the pending offer and ongoing engagement.

The Ministers reaffirmed that the administration of President Tinubu remains unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian lecturers and the stability of the university system. They noted that the ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening to ensure sustainable academic excellence.

While reaffirming the administration’s respect for university autonomy, the Ministers clarified that certain aspects of ASUU’s demands—particularly those relating to internal governance, appointments, and promotions—are statutory responsibilities of university governing councils. They urged the union to allow these matters to be handled appropriately at the institutional level in line with existing regulations.

They also reminded the union that the principle of “No Work, No Pay” remains an extant provision of Nigerian labour law, and the Federal Government will invoke it should ASUU proceed with the strike.

“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 statement warned.

The Ministers further assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains open to constructive engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders in the education sector. They noted that the administration’s consistent interventions demonstrate a clear commitment to revitalising universities, improving staff welfare, and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.

“The government has shown sincerity and commitment through engagements and policy actions. We are confident that, with continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be addressed and resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school,” the statement added.

“The future of our children and the stability of our universities must take priority over disputes. The Federal Government remains open to discussion and is ready to work with ASUU to consolidate the gains already achieved in staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms,” the Ministers concluded.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome, seeking divine intervention in Nigeria.

Disclosing this in a statement via X, the Anambra-born politician called on Nigerians to remain steadfast as the nation grapples with political, social, and economic challenges.

He revealed that he used his recent trip to Rome to “take Nigeria’s situation to God,” offering prayers for unity, peace, and responsible leadership.

“With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many challenges faced over 65 years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation,” Obi said.

See the full statement below:

After my two -day trip to the United States – where I addressed the Friendship Club on Saturday, 4 October, and spoke at the 1st Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington on Sunday, 5 October – I departed that same night for Rome, arriving on 6th October to join my dearest wife, who was already in Rome waiting for me.

This year marks a Jubilee Year, an event celebrated every twenty-five years, and my dearest wife and I chose to dedicate our prayers to Nigeria. With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many challenges faced over sixty-five years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation – a rare and profound blessing for which we remain deeply thankful.

We also sought forgiveness for our national transgressions and implored God to intervene in the suffering of the Nigerian people. We prayed for the injection into our political landscape selfless and compassionate leaders whose hearts He God would touch—leaders who would be truthful in word and deed, altruistic in service, and committed to using public resources for the common good. Leaders whose decisions would reflect competence, capacity, character, and commitment to the welfare of all. Leaders who understand that they were not created to live in isolation but in community with others, and must ensure that actions are for the benefit of the community.

On Tuesday, the 7th of October, as part of our pilgrimage, we passed through three Holy Doors of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome, praying at each that God would open the door of His mercy to Nigeria. At St. Mary Major, we prayed, passed through the Holy Door, and reflected at the grave of the late Pope Francis. From there, we journeyed to the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where Cardinal James Harvey warmly received us, led us through the Holy Door, and shared the basilica’s rich history and the deep significance of the Jubilee Year. Our third stop was the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, where, together with other pilgrims, we passed through the Holy Door and joined in prayer. We then proceeded to the Scala Sancta – the Holy Steps which Jesus ascended before Pontius Pilate – where we prayed with profound reverence, completing a day of deep spiritual reflection at some of Rome’s most sacred sites.

On Wednesday the 8th of October, we rose early for the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we were blessed to hear the Catechesis of His Holiness on hope, perseverance, and steadfast faith in times of hardship. Afterwards, we passed through the final Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, praying and reflecting deeply on God’s mercy, thus completing our pilgrimage through the four doors with hearts filled with gratitude and renewed faith.

At St. Peter’s, we were privileged to be received in audience by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex, to whom we humbly appealed for prayers for our beloved country, Nigeria.

Along the way, we met several Nigerian pilgrims: men and women of faith whose faces shone with quiet hope. Together, we renewed our trust in God’s divine mercy and in the promise of a renewed and better Nigeria.

I believe fervently in the power and providence of God. Yet, as we lift our nation before Him in prayer, we must not surrender to fatalism. Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; rather, it calls us to action. As Nigerians, we must each continue to do our part – with honesty, diligence, and love – for the healing and progress of our country.

A new Nigeria is POssible.

• Peter Obi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for Rome, the capital of Italy, which will be his 16th foreign trip in 2025.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, the president in Rome will participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting, which focuses on security crisis in West Africa.

The meeting, which will begin on October 14, will bring together heads of state and government, senior intelligence and military officials from African countries, and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations to discuss the evolving security challenges in West Africa.

The Aqaba Process meeting is a counter-terrorism initiative launched by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015.

It is co–chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian government.

The meeting recognises the complex security challenges confronting West Africa, including the expansion of terrorist networks, the growing crime-terror nexus and the increasing overlap between land-based terrorism in the Sahel and the maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to the statement, participants at the meeting will exchange assessments of the current security landscape in West Africa and foster collaboration between regional and international partners to address cross-border security challenges.

Participants will also develop strategies to counter the terror threat on land and the sea.

The meeting will discuss ideas on how to coordinate efforts to combat online radicalisation and disrupt digital networks that facilitate terrorist propaganda and recruitment.

In addition to attending the plenary sessions of the Aqaba meeting, Tinubu will hold bilateral talks with other leaders to explore ways of addressing the rising security challenges across the subregion.

Tinubu will be accompanied by Bianca Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign affairs; Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence; Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Mohammed Mohammed, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); and other government officials.

Tinubu’s 2025 foreign trip so far

With his latest trip, President Tinubu has now embarked on 16 international journeys across 12 countries in 2025 alone, and at least 44 foreign trips since taking office in 2023.

Years He recently returned from a 10-day annual vacation in Europe, during which he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Tinubu’s travels have spanned high-level summits, bilateral meetings, presidential inaugurations, and a few personal breaks.

His 2025 foreign trips started on January 6, when he travelled to Accra, Ghana, for the inauguration of President-elect John Mahama.

Days later, from January 12 to 16, he attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Summit in the United Arab Emirates, holding side meetings with Gulf investors and government officials on trade and energy cooperation.

Later that month, from January 27 to 28, Tinubu was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit. In February, he travelled to France and then to Ethiopia for the 37th African Union Summit, where African leaders discussed regional security, climate action, and trade integration under AfCFTA.

Between April 2 and 21, Tinubu undertook a two-week working visit that took him to France and the United Kingdom. In mid-May, he was in Vatican City for the historic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome.

From June 28 to July 4, the President made a landmark state visit to Saint Lucia, where he addressed Caribbean leaders in Castries before heading to Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit (July 4–7).

He returned to Brazil in August for a two-day state visit after attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Japan, where he met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss maritime security and digital infrastructure.

Before arriving in Japan, Tinubu made a brief stopover in Dubai on August 15, which is his second visit to the UAE this year, before proceeding to Yokohama on August 18.

From September 4 to 17, he was again in France and the UK for a working vacation, part of his 2025 annual leave. That visit came nearly a year after his two-week vacation in the UK in October 2024.
His latest trip, beginning October 12, takes him to Rome for the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting.