Exclusive — Legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Barrister Darlington, has reacted to the Federal Government’s “no work, no pay” policy for striking lecturers, urging the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to respond with an equally firm stance — “no pay, no work.”
Speaking during a live discussion on VOP TV, Darlington criticized the government’s handling of labour disputes in the education sector, accusing it of provoking crises rather than resolving them.
“The federal government says, ‘No work, no pay,’ then ASUU should say, ‘No pay, no work,’” Darlington stated.
He argued that the recurring disputes between ASUU and the government stem from broken agreements and lack of sincerity, rather than from the lecturers’ unwillingness to work.
According to him, many university lecturers continue to work under poor conditions, often without receiving salaries for months, yet the government insists on enforcing a punitive policy that disregards their sacrifices.
“You cannot expect teachers to give their best when they are being starved. Education cannot thrive in a system that punishes those who build the future,” he said.
Darlington urged both parties to adopt dialogue and mutual respect, warning that the continued standoff between ASUU and the government will only worsen the state of public universities and push more students toward private institutions.
“If the government truly values education, it should treat educators as partners, not enemies,” he added.
Observers say his comments echo the frustration of many Nigerians who believe that education has become one of the most neglected sectors despite its importance to national development.
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