LASU, LASUSTECH, LASUED Staff Declare Indefinite Strike

Academic and non-academic staff across Lagos State-owned universities are set to commence an indefinite strike from October 3, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Lagos State-owned universities announced the planned industrial action during a media briefing on Friday. The committee comprises four major staff unions: the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).

Speaking on behalf of the committee, JAC Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, said the strike would begin at midnight following months of unsuccessful negotiations and delays over the implementation of the 2026 Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and staff unions’ agreements.

According to Bakare, an agreement reached on August 31 provided for revised allowance structures, tax-exempt benefits and the payment of outstanding arrears in September salaries. However, he said the agreed adjustments were not reflected in workers’ September pay.

The union said the unpaid arrears have now accumulated to nine months, covering January to September 2026.

Among the workers’ demands are the full implementation of the signed 2026 FGN/Unions Agreement across the four institutions, payment of the nine months’ accumulated arrears, compliance with the non-taxable status of negotiated allowances, and the implementation of a 15 per cent “Lagos Factor” allowance to cushion the rising cost of living in the state.

The unions are also demanding the fulfilment of previous commitments by the Lagos State Government, including a 20 per cent salary increase reportedly pledged in 2023 and the provision of five Marcopolo buses for student and staff transportation.

The JAC urged students, parents and civil society organisations to hold the Lagos State Government accountable for any disruption to academic and administrative activities arising from the strike.

However, Bakare said the unions remained open to immediate intervention by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu before the deadline, stressing that executive action could still prevent a complete shutdown of the affected institutions.