Lagos varsity workers begin indefinite strike over nine-month arrears

Academic and non-academic workers in Lagos State-owned universities have commenced an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of agreements reached with the state government and unpaid salary arrears.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the university workers announced the industrial action following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government.

The affected institutions are 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).

The committee comprises the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

JAC Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, said the decision followed the failure to implement the agreed salary adjustments and pay outstanding arrears.

According to him, September salaries were paid without the agreed adjustments, causing the outstanding arrears to rise to nine months, covering January to September 2026.

“We have demonstrated unprecedented patience, maturity and commitment to peaceful dialogue. However, our patience has been pushed to the absolute limit,” Bakare said.

The unions are demanding the full implementation of the signed 2026 Federal Government and unions’ agreement across the four institutions, as well as payment of the nine months’ accumulated arrears.

They are also demanding adherence to the agreed non-taxable status of negotiated allowances and the implementation of a 15 per cent “Lagos Factor” allowance to cushion the effect of the high cost of living in the state.

Other demands include the implementation of a 20 per cent salary increase previously pledged by the state government and the provision of five Marcopolo buses for transportation of students and staff.

The unions said they had exhausted available administrative channels and repeatedly sought dialogue before resorting to industrial action.

The strike is expected to affect academic and administrative activities across the four Lagos State-owned universities.