The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Lagos State University, LASU, branch, has officially declared an indefinite strike, joining the ongoing industrial actions by other staff unions at the institution.
The strike is in response to the non-implementation of a Federal Government-approved salary increment and unresolved salary disparities between LASU and other state universities.
In a statement dated December 8, 2024, ASUU-LASU Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, and Secretary, Sylvester Idowu, confirmed the strike’s commencement from December 6, 2024. The decision aligns with a directive from the Joint Action Committee of all staff unions in the university.
ASUU-LASU expressed frustration over the failure to implement a 25%/35% salary increment approved by the Federal Government for university staff, a policy enacted in January 2023. According to the union, this increment has already been implemented in all federal universities and 18 state universities across the country.
Adding to their grievances, the union highlighted the persistent salary disparities between LASU staff and their counterparts at Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education. Both institutions reportedly offer higher salaries than LASU despite their recent upgrade to university status.
The union disclosed that a government-constituted committee had previously submitted recommendations for harmonizing salaries among the three institutions. However, the state government has yet to act on these recommendations.
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The union urged LASU students to disregard a December 7 press release by the LASU Students’ Union leadership, which claimed that academic activities were ongoing despite industrial actions by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions.
ASUU-LASU reminded students that the strike action affects all staff and is part of a collective effort to address longstanding welfare issues. Students were encouraged to remain calm, mature, and supportive during the strike.
“This is not just a strike for salary increments,” the ASUU-LASU leadership emphasized in their statement. “It is a fight for fairness and the dignity of our profession.” They criticized the government’s inaction, describing the delay in implementing agreed policies as a “hoax” and a disservice to the university community.
The union further noted that official communication regarding the strike had been sent to the Vice Chancellor and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who serves as the Visitor to the university.
Acknowledging the inconvenience the strike may cause, ASUU-LASU called on students to avoid being used as pawns in the ongoing negotiations. “This matter is between the university staff and the government. Students have no stake in it and should not meddle,” the statement read.
ASUU-LASU assured the university community that steps are being taken to resolve the issues and expressed hope for a swift resolution. However, until their demands are met, the strike remains total and indefinite.
The LASU crisis adds to the mounting challenges facing Nigerian higher education, as unresolved labor disputes continue to disrupt academic calendars and stall progress in institutions across the country.
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