The Joint Action Committee of the Academic and Non-Academic Staff of Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo on Monday, December 9, 2024, declared an indefinite strike.

The union’s demands from the Lagos State Government include an increase in salary and addressing salary disparities between LASU and other universities in the state.

Others are the payment of 20 per cent salary increase as promised by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his election campaign and the payment of 20 per cent and 35 per cent agreement reached between the federal government and university workers.

The unions involved include the LASU chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

Also involved are the LASU chapters of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The Chairman of NASU-LASU, Justice Obafemi, said the genesis of the industrial action was the promised 20 per cent salary increase made by Sanwo-Olu during his electioneering campaign.

Obafemi said after the election, the governor only paid the civil servants at Alausa Secretariat, neglecting the staff of the tertiary institutions.

He stated: “They used us, and despite our active contributions and efforts we made during the election, they have not fulfilled their promise.

“There is also disparity in payment of salaries between LASU and the other two state-owned tertiary institutions.

“Even before Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), and Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) transmuted to universities, their staff were earning more than LASU staff.”

LASU students protest over additional fee

The NASU chairman said when the administration came on board as new leaders, the unions wrote to the state government to look into the disparities.

Obafemi added: “Also, the 20 per cent and 35 per cent agreement reached between the federal government and university workers.

“We set up a committee to look into it and sent all our requests to the government to harmonise salaries of all the academic institutions in the state.

“We had several meetings with the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education and Ministry of Establishment and Training.

“Also, the LASU management tried to step into the matter. The vice-chancellor has pleaded severally but we cannot continue to sacrifice the welfare of our union members.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of ASUU-LASU, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, said the unions were more interested in peace, adding that the action was an agitation for staff welfare.

Bakare stated that all unions in the institution decided to come together and collaborate to get to where they are currently.

The Coordinator of Centre for Information and Public Relations, LASU, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, said in a statement that the institution’s Senate had declared a Christmas and New Year break for the students and staff.

Thomas-Onashile noted that the break started on Monday, December 9, till January 5, 2025, adding that all university activities, including lectures and socio-academic events, would resume on January 6, 2025.

Thomas-Onashile stated: “All students residing in the university’s hostels across all campuses (Ojo, LASUCOM, Epe, and Badagry) are required to vacate the hostels within 48 hours.

“The university management appreciates the support and dedication of staff and students throughout the year and wishes everyone a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”

The Star