The academic landscape at Lagos State University (LASU) has been thrown into turmoil as the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has initiated an indefinite strike, effectively halting educational activities across the campus. The strike, which began on December 6, 2024, comes in protest of the state government’s failure to implement the federally approved salary increment of 25 percent and 35 percent for university staff members, a benefit that has been pending since January 2023.
In a comprehensive statement jointly issued by ASUU-LASU Chairman Prof Ibrahim Bakare and Secretary Sylvester Idowu, the union expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in implementing these salary adjustments, particularly noting that the increment has already been executed in all federal universities and eighteen state universities across the nation. This disparity has created growing tension within the academic community.
The situation is further complicated by an existing salary inequality between LASU and its sister institutions. The union highlighted that staff members at both the Lagos State University of Science and Technology and the Lagos State University of Education currently receive higher remuneration than their counterparts at LASU, despite these institutions being more recently upgraded to university status. This disparity has become a significant point of contention, with ASUU-LASU pushing for harmonization across all three institutions.
The strike action represents a unified front among university staff, as it aligns with the broader industrial action already initiated by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Other Related Institutions (NASU). This coordinated effort demonstrates the depth of dissatisfaction among university workers regarding their compensation and working conditions.
Adding another layer to the developing crisis, ASUU-LASU has directly challenged recent communications from both the university management and the Students’ Union body. The union specifically advised students to disregard a press release dated December 7, 2024, which claimed that academic activities were continuing despite the ongoing SSANU and NASU strikes. This contradiction has created confusion among the student body and highlighted the growing tensions between various stakeholders within the university community.
The union’s leadership has taken a firm stance on student involvement in the dispute, emphasizing that while students are valued members of the university community, they should not be drawn into staff welfare issues that fall strictly between university employees and the state government. This statement comes as a response to what appears to be attempts to use student opinion to influence the ongoing labor dispute.
Despite the strong stance taken by the union, there appears to be some hope for resolution. The union acknowledged that both the state government and university management are making “frantic efforts” to address the situation. A committee had previously been established to make recommendations on harmonizing salaries across the state’s universities, and while this committee has submitted its report, the implementation of its recommendations remains pending.
In their communication, ASUU-LASU has maintained a balanced approach, appealing to students for understanding while emphasizing the legitimacy of their grievances. The union has specifically called for students to demonstrate maturity and solidarity during this period of uncertainty, suggesting that the academic community’s interests are best served by allowing the proper channels to address these fundamental issues of staff welfare.
The situation has gained additional official weight through the union’s formal communication with both the Vice Chancellor and the State Governor, who serves as the University’s Visitor. This escalation to the highest levels of state governance underscores the seriousness of the situation and the union’s determination to achieve a resolution that addresses the long-standing salary disparities and implementation delays.
As the strike continues indefinitely, the impact on academic activities and the broader university community remains a growing concern, with all stakeholders watching closely for developments that might lead to a resolution of this complex situation.
