The Lagos State University (LASU) has been plunged into an indefinite strike as academic and non-academic staff, under the aegis of a joint action committee, protest salary disparities and unfulfilled commitments by the Lagos State government.
The strike, involving the LASU chapters of 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), is fueled by grievances over salary differences between LASU and other state-owned universities.
Obafemi Sanni, Chairman of NASU-LASU, stated that the strike was inevitable following the government’s failure to honor a 20% salary increase promised by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his election campaign. While civil servants at the state secretariat received the promised increment, LASU staff claim they were left out.
“They used us during the election, and despite our active contributions, they have neglected us,” Sanni lamented. He also highlighted longstanding salary disparities, noting that staff at LASU earn less than their counterparts at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (now Lagos State University of Education) and Lagos State Polytechnic (now Lagos State University of Science and Technology), even before their transition to universities.
The unions also demand the implementation of federal agreements on a 20% and 35% salary increase for university workers. Despite several meetings with the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Ministry of Establishment and Training, as well as intervention efforts by LASU’s Vice-Chancellor, the unions argue that no tangible progress has been made.
Ibrahim Bakare, Chairman of ASUU-LASU, emphasized that the strike is a peaceful agitation for staff welfare, urging the government to address the demands urgently.
“All unions in LASU have united to ensure fairness and equity. We remain calm and await the government’s