The Lagos State Government has appealed to the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of staff unions at Lagos State University, LASU, to call off their ongoing indefinite strike, which has disrupted academic and administrative operations at the institution since July 31.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mamud Hassan, the state government emphasized its commitment to resolving the grievances raised by the unions and restoring normalcy on campus.
The JAC includes major unions such as ASUU‑LASU, SSANU‑LASU, NASU‑LASU, and NAAT‑LASU, which embarked on industrial action over issues related to staff welfare and salary payments.
The statement confirmed that the state government had received official communications from the unions and acknowledged the concerns raised. It added that senior government officials, including the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, had engaged with the union leadership in high-level discussions aimed at addressing their demands.
During earlier deliberations, both parties had reportedly agreed to hold off on any disruptive action to enable meaningful negotiations, but the unions eventually proceeded with the strike.
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Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, urged the unions to return to the negotiation table, stressing the importance of dialogue over disruption. He called on the unions to consider the impact of their strike on students’ academic progression and the university’s operations.
“The suspension of academic and administrative activities not only disrupts the academic calendar but also negatively affects the future of our students, who are the primary reason for the university’s existence,” the statement read.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the matter amicably. “The Lagos State Government assures parents, students, academic and non-academic staff that we are committed to restoring academic activities and industrial peace at Lagos State University,” Sule stated.
He emphasized that peaceful and constructive engagement remains the best route toward a lasting resolution. “We believe that through continued cooperation, understanding, and mutual trust, we can find sustainable solutions to the pressing concerns of all stakeholders.”
Sule also highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in LASU and other tertiary institutions in Lagos, despite mounting challenges and increasing demands on the state’s resources as a growing megacity. He appealed to union leaders to acknowledge these efforts and work collaboratively with the state to secure a stable academic environment.
While the unions have yet to respond to the government’s latest appeal, the indefinite strike continues to affect thousands of students and university staff. The disruption has raised concerns among parents and education stakeholders who are calling for a swift resolution.
Punch Newspaper
