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NLC Gives FG Four Week Ultimatum to Suspend ASUU Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress has given an ultimatum to the federal government to end the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
NLC gave Tinubu’s government a four-week ultimatum to conclude negotiations with all unions representing tertiary institutions, warning of nationwide industrial action if talks fail.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, condemned the government’s “no-work-no-pay” policy, describing it as punitive against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who embarked on a nationwide strike.
 
“We are giving the federal government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. Talks have started with ASUU, but the issues go beyond them,” Ajaero said.
“If no resolution is reached within four weeks, the NEC will convene, and all unions in the country will mobilise to address this comprehensively. The era of threatening unions is over.”
He further stressed a principle of “No Pay, No Work,” asserting that workers should not bear the brunt of failed agreements. “Most strike actions in this country stem from the government’s failure to honour agreements,”Ajaero added.
The warning comes amid the ongoing ASUU strike, announced by its National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, citing unresolved issues including staff welfare, infrastructure, salary arrears, and the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Despite the government releasing N50bn for earned academic allowances and allocating N150bn in the 2025 budget for a needs assessment, ASUU deemed the measures insufficient. The union demands full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, arrears, and cooperative deductions, as well as sustainable funding for universities.
The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary education unions, calling for collective action to protect workers’ rights and ensure the continuity and quality of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
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Maths And English Remain Compulsory For O’Level Students – FG Clarifies

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain mandatory for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent changes to tertiary institution admission requirements.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government said the new policy on streamlined admission criteria does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.

According to the statement signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the clarification became necessary following misinterpretations of the new O’Level admission framework.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform was introduced to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that capable students are not denied access because of deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen courses.

“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” Alausa said.

He added that the new framework aligns with global best practices and corrects imbalances in the previous admission system by allowing institutions to admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either subject are not compulsory, but all students must still register and sit for both.

The ministry stressed that the adjustment only affects admission criteria for specific programmes, not the requirement to study or take the subjects.

“All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation,” the statement partly read.

The ministry said the policy supports the Federal Government’s broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while upholding education quality and integrity.

It also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely solely on the ministry’s official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on reforms and policies.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.

It had earlier been reported that Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics, the Federal Ministry of Education.

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FG Sues Senator Nwebonyi Over Alleged Vile Remarks Against Senator Natasha

The Federal Government of Nigeria has instituted a law suit against Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
FG sued Nwebonyi over alleged defamatory statements made against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Sahara Reporters revealed that the five-count charge, marked CR/547/2025, was filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, by Mohamed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, on behalf of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation.
According to the charge sheet dated September 11, 2025, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday, Senator Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District and serves as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, made the offending remarks between March 3 and 29, 2025, during appearances on Arise Television, Channels Television, TVC, and News Central Television in Abuja, as well as in other media outlets

The prosecution accused Senator Nwebonyi of making several statements intended to damage Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, including describing her as “a habitual accuser” and “a woman who uses her gender as a weapon.”

He was further quoted as saying, “This woman is a known blackmailer, and people should be very careful with this woman.”
 
According to the Federal Government, these remarks were malicious and capable of exposing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.
The charge sheet also alleged that Nwebonyi made disparaging personal comments about the senator, describing her as “a mother of six from different men” and questioning her moral character, statements which the prosecution says constitute a violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.
Count One of the charge specifically accuses Senator Nwebonyi of making imputations knowing that such statements would harm the reputation of another person, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Act.
If convicted, the offence carries a potential sentence of imprisonment, fine, or both, as stipulated under the Penal Code provisions.
The statement of offence for count one reads, “Making imputation knowing that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Nigeria and punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.
 
“That on or about the 3rd day of March 2025, during a live studio interview programme “NewsDay” on Arise Television in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, You SENATOR PETER ONYEKACHI NWEBONYI, made the following imputation concerning Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during the referenced interview programme with Arise Television anchors/hosts (Aaron Akerejola and Cynthia Areh) to wit:
 
“This is an attempt to discredit the Senate President, and this is not the first time, just give me some time, this is not the first time this woman is doing this. This is a woman that have accused Yahaya Bello of sexual harassment…”
 
“This is the same woman that accused Reno Omokri, the former media aide to Jonathan of sexual harassment, this is a woman I saw on a video yesterday accusing a Minister of sexual harassment. Are you the only woman in Nigeria? Senator Natasha! What is wrong with you?”
 
“This is madness, Nigerian women should rise against this, let me tell you something…”
 
“Senator Natasha is spoiling game for Nigeria women trying to enter politics, because nobody will vote for a woman… No! I’m telling you, if women can behave this way, then there is danger… if you give them more power!”
 
“And I have my points, any slightest provocation, you accuse eh, he want to sexually harass me, he eh (inaudible). Who are you? A mother of six…a mother of six from different men, without going to her character, this is a mother of six from different men and you think that her character is not questionable.”
 
“I’m going to her character, she have to change! We should condemn evil that is the point…I’m a Christian.”
 
“Listen! She is a habitual accuser, she is a habitual accuser of men, of sexual harassment.”
 
“And YOU SENATOR PETER ONYEKACHI NWEBONYI know or have reason to believe that these imputations will harm the reputation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Senator of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
 
Counts Two to Five: Each of the remaining four counts accuses Senator Peter Nwebonyi of making statements or imputations knowing, or having reason to believe, that such remarks would harm the reputation of another person, in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code Act.
The Federal Government maintains that these imputations were made maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth, thereby constituting criminal defamation under the law.
The case has been formally scheduled for hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where Senator Nwebonyi is expected to take his plea and defend himself against the allegations.
If found guilty, he faces penalties prescribed under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act, which include imprisonment, a fine, or both.
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No Inmate Released Yet, Presidential Pardon Under Review – FG

Following backlash, the Federal Government has clarified that no inmate has yet been released under the recent Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise.
According to the government, the process is still undergoing its final administrative review.
This follows reports that President Bola Tinubu approved pardons for Sir Herbert Macaulay and 174 others, including environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and Major General Mamman Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 for alleged coup plotting.
The list also reportedly included Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, along with other inmates and ex-convicts recommended by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
However, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a statement on Thursday, clarified that while the Council of State had endorsed the recommendations for clemency, no formal release had taken place. He said the process remains at the verification and review stage to ensure full compliance with legal and procedural standards.
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody. The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued,” the statement read.
Fagbemi explained that the issuance of the release instrument marks the final phase, after which the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service will be authorized to implement the decisions.
He stressed that the review process is standard protocol, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency, due diligence, and the rule of law.
“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy,” he said, assuring that the public will be informed once all legal and procedural checks are completed.
 
“The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness,” he added.
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Strike: NANS Gives ASUU, FG Seven Days To Resolve Dispute

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) a seven-day ultimatum to resolve their ongoing dispute and avert another strike that could disrupt the nation’s academic calendar.

In a statement signed by NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, on Wednesday, the students’ body expressed concern over the growing tension between the government and ASUU, warning that any disruption to the academic calendar would be unacceptable to Nigerian students.

Oladoja noted that the education sector had enjoyed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration, a feat not recorded since the return to democracy in 1999.

He, however, said the recent threat of industrial action by ASUU was jeopardising this progress.

“It is, therefore, in this spirit that NANS appeals to both ASUU and the Federal Government’s negotiation team to find a workable and lasting solution within the next seven (7) days. Nigerian students, many of whom are now studying through educational loans, cannot afford to have their academic calendar disrupted or their duration on campus extended again,” Oladoja warned.

The NANS president, however, commended President Tinubu’s education reforms, listing initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions as examples of the administration’s commitment to education and student welfare.

Despite these gains, Oladoja lamented that poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU had created unnecessary tension.

“However, the recent threat of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has become a source of concern to Nigerian students nationwide. It is regrettable that despite the huge progress recorded, this strike, a result of miscommunication and poor crisis management with timely implementation of the resolutions earlier reached with ASUU, is thereby creating avoidable tension that now threatens the peace and progress of the education sector,” he said.

Oladoja revealed that NANS’ independent findings showed that a meeting earlier convened by the federal government to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural disagreements.

“We have secured assurances from both parties that they are ready to attend the meeting once it is properly reconvened. NANS, therefore, calls on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap,” he stated.

He further appealed to Tinubu to personally intervene, warning that failure to act swiftly could erode the goodwill and stability achieved in the education sector.

“We strongly emphasise the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to personally intervene at this crucial time to prevent the gains achieved in the education sector under his Renewed Hope Administration from being eroded by another strike action.

“Nigerian students remain grateful and supportive of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to education and student welfare. However, if this impasse is not resolved and the strike persists beyond seven days, it risks undermining the progress and goodwill recorded under this administration.

“Now is the time for dialogue, understanding, and decisive action—the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it,” Oladoja said.

ASUU had on Monday begun the warning strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet its long-standing demands.

The lecturers are demanding the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.

Other grievances include the payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.

The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has remained stalled since 2017, despite several committees set up by successive governments.

The most recent, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but implementation has yet to begin.

In response to the strike, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reportedly directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy against lecturers who joined the industrial action — a move that has sparked fresh outrage among university workers.

The strike has already disrupted ongoing examinations in several universities across the country, causing anxiety among students and parents alike.

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Mathematics No Longer Compulsory For Arts Students – FG

The Federal Government has announced that Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics.
FG made the announcement through the Federal Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.
For years, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their contemporaries in sciences and social sciences, have been mandated to have five credits, including mathematics and English language, to secure admission into higher institutions.
“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.
 
“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:
 
“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
 
“Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.
 
“Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
 
“Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs,” a statement by the FME’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, said.
An education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja, hailed the reform.
“This is a brilliant reform which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers.”
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education.
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Strike: ASUU Reacts to FG’s No-Work-No-Pay Directive

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reacted to the Federal Government’s recent directive of ‘no work, no pay’ policy.
ASUU urged the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to focus on resolving the ongoing dispute with the union instead of issuing threats.
This comes barely 24 hours after university lecturers embarked on a two-week warning strike to press home their demands.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, dismissed the Federal Government’s ‘No Work, No Pay’ directive, insisting that the union will not be intimidated by threats.
Piwuna said the union remained united and would not succumb to the government’s attempt to divide the academic community.
According to him, all academic bodies, such as the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), were standing together in support of the strike action.
He said, “We don’t respond to threats, and nobody can threaten us.
 
“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.
 
“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.”
 
Piwuna also hinted that the union remained open to dialogue and was ready to engage with the Federal Government.
He added, “He has got something coming. He had better sit down and solve this problem or he will fail in trying to divide us.
 
“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.”
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ASUU Strike: FG Directs Vice-Chancellors to Stop Lecturers’ Salary

The Federal Government has ordered salaries of lecturers to be stopped.
This is as FG directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities in Nigeria to commence enforcement of “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
Recall that university teachers are currently on strike over FG’s inability to meet their outstanding demands.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
“In line with the 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,” the circular reads
The circular was copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of Education, Pro-Chancellors of all federal universities, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the NUC.
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No Work, No Pay – FG Threatens ASUU Over Nationwide Strike

The Federal Government has insisted that its ‘no work, no pay policy’ will be implemented against striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members.
This is as the union embarked on a warning strike this Monday.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, Minister of Education Maruf Tunji Alausa and Minister of State for Education Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed said the government remains committed to resolving ASUU’s concerns through continued dialogue.
 
“The Federal Government has demonstrated sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its discussions with the Union,” the statement said.
According to the ministers, several of ASUU’s key demands — including enhanced teaching allowances and better conditions of service — have already been addressed.
They added that other unresolved matters fall under the authority of university governing councils, which have been reconstituted to handle them.
 
“Despite these efforts, ASUU has chosen to embark on strike action, a decision that fails to reflect fairness to students or the public,” the statement read.
Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to maintaining academic stability, the ministers cautioned that the “no work, no pay” policy remains a valid labour law and would be applied if universities are shut down.
They urged ASUU to reconsider its stance and return to the dialogue table, emphasizing that “the government remains open to engagement at all levels to avoid unnecessary disruption in the education sector.”
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FG Reacts As ASUU Begins Mobilizing Members For Nationwide Strike

The federal government has reacted to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) planned nationwide strike.
The government begged ASUU to shelve its strike, assuring that all outstanding issues will be addressed.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a press briefing on Wednesday, noting that President Bola Tinubu has the political will to meet the demands of the union.
He added that President Tinubu has directed that all necessary efforts must be put in place to ensure that university and other public tertiary institution students remain in schools and the school doors remain open for activities.
Alausa submitted that there is no basis for the proposed ASUU strike, as their grievances are already receiving attention.
The Minister disclosed that by Thursday, the Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiating Committee would meet with the leadership of ASUU to present the government’s offer to them.

He revealed that the committee has reached out to ASUU and other unions in tertiary institutions to start giving dates and times when they will meet.
“The directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to us is that our children must be in school; that we should do everything humanly possible to avert a strike. That’s why what we’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure a holistic resolution of the issues. We’ve not been talking about everything we’re doing.
 
“People at the highest level of government have been working several hours intensely to get a robust but affordable response back to our trade unions. These are issues that predate 10-15 years ago. They’ve not been surmounted, but this President has given us the political will to resolve these issues once and for all.
 
“In the past, things were done in silos. There were three different Negotiating Committees that were set up. One for universities, one for polytechnics and one for the College of Education and those committees worked in silos. That’s not an efficient way to negotiate.
 
”Despite the slight delay that we’ve had in putting the Expanded Committee together, we now have one Negotiating Committee that will talk with all tertiary institutions. That same committee will negotiate with academic staff and non-academic staff unions so that they can have a full grasp of what their needs are.
 
“I have seen all the requests from all these unions at the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education; 80% of those requests are about the same, while the 20% of the requests are based on particular needs of the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa said.
Alausa disclosed that the expanded negotiation committee was inaugurated on Monday and that the members held their inaugural meeting on Tuesday.
He appealed for calm on the part of ASUU, assuring that the government is committed to resolving all issues, stressing that the contending issues have been ongoing for about two decades.
“And as I’ve said repeatedly, we will resolve it in a holistic, comprehensive manner that is mutually respectful to the unions in an affordable manner. Something the government can afford,” he said.
The Minister noted that the government had commenced the implementation of the demands of the lecturers and other staff unions, saying the current administration of President Tinubu released ₦50 billion Earned Academic Allowance some months ago.
He added that N150 billion was allocated in the 2025 budget as a revitalisation fund for tertiary institutions, while the issues of promotion arrears would be captured in the 2026 budget.

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