Lagos varsity unions declare indefinite strike over unpaid arrears, broken agreements - The Guardian Nigeria News
Academic and non-academic staff across all Lagos State-owned universities are set to down tools from October 3, triggering a likely total and indefinite strike action that threatens to cripple academic and administrative activities across the institutions.
The declaration was made during a media briefing, on Friday, by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Lagos State-owned universities, an umbrella body representing four major staff unions: the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The affected institutions include 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, announced that the strike would take effect at midnight, Saturday, October 3, following the expiration of a final seven-day ultimatum issued to the state government.
According to him, the industrial action follows months of failed negotiations, bureaucratic delays and repeated reversals by state government officials regarding the implementation of the signed 2026 Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) / Staff Unions Agreements.
While negotiations appeared to progress on August 31 with the signing of an official resolution, promising updated allowance structures, tax-exempt benefits, and the payment of backdated arrears in September salaries, workers received their September paychecks without the agreed increases or outstanding arrears.
With September concluding without implementation, Bakare said arrears owed to the university workers have now accumulated to nine full months, dating back to January 1, 2026.
“We have demonstrated unprecedented patience, maturity and commitment to peaceful dialogue,” Bakare stated. “However, our patience has been pushed to the absolute limit. We have exhausted every possible administrative channel to avert this crisis.”
He emphasised that their demands remain legitimate and well within the financial capability of Lagos State.
“The core demands submitted to the state government include the full implementation of the signed 2026 FGN/Unions Agreement across all four tertiary institutions. A one-off payment covering nine months of accumulated arrears (January–September 2026), strict adherence to non-taxable terms on all negotiated allowances, implementation of a 15 per cent “Lagos Factor” allowance to cushion the economic impact of living in the metropolis, and delivery on past promises made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, including a 20 per cent salary increment pledged in 2023 and five Marcopolo buses for student and staff transit.”
With the deadline, the union urged students, parents, and civil society leaders to hold the Lagos State government responsible for the imminent shutdown of academic calendars and administrative services.
“We remain open to immediate executive action before the midnight deadline tonight,” Bakare added, noting that only immediate intervention by Sanwo-Olu could prevent a complete shutdown across campus locations starting Saturday.
