The Lagos State University (LASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced an indefinite strike, urging students to dismiss claims by the university management and Students’ Union that academic activities remain unaffected.
The strike began on December 6, 2024, in protest against the government’s failure to implement a 25%-35% salary increment for academic staff approved in January 2023.
ASUU-LASU Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, and Secretary, Sylvester Idowu, issued a statement explaining that the salary adjustments have been applied in federal universities and 18 state institutions but not at LASU. Additionally, the union highlighted a salary disparity between LASU staff and those at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUST) and the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), despite the latter being upgraded to university status.
In their statement titled “ASUU-LASU EMBARKS ON A TOTAL AND INDEFINITE STRIKE,” the union expressed disappointment at the government’s delay in addressing these issues. They noted that a committee tasked with harmonizing salaries across the three institutions had submitted recommendations, but the government had not acted on them.
The union called on students to remain calm and refrain from interfering in the matter, emphasizing that it concerns staff welfare. ASUU urged students to disregard a recent statement by the LASU Students’ Union claiming normal activities continue despite strikes by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
ASUU’s message to students emphasized solidarity and understanding, stating, “Our law-abiding students should not allow themselves to be used in a matter that does not directly concern them. This strike action aligns with the decision of the Joint Action Committee of all staff unions in LASU.”
The union assured students that efforts to resolve the issues were underway and thanked them for their patience. A formal letter about the strike has been sent to the university’s Vice Chancellor and the Governor of Lagos State, who is the Visitor to LASU.