Strike Announcement and Key Issues
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) branch, has officially declared an indefinite strike action effective from December 6, 2024. This announcement was made through a statement issued on December 8, 2024, by ASUU-LASU Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, and Secretary, Sylvester Idowu. The strike is in protest of the non-implementation of the Federal Government-approved salary increment of 25%/35% for ASUU members, a policy that has been in effect since January 2023 in other Federal and State Universities.
The statement emphasized that this decision aligns with the broader stance of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all staff unions in the university, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
Reasons Behind the Strike
The ASUU-LASU leadership highlighted two primary reasons for their decision to embark on this strike:
- Non-Implementation of Salary Increment: The Federal Government-approved salary increment, ranging between 25% and 35%, has been implemented in all Federal Universities and 18 State Universities. However, LASU staff members have been excluded from this benefit despite repeated appeals for fairness.
- Salary Disparities Across Lagos State Institutions: The salaries of staff at Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education, which were upgraded to university status, remain higher than those of LASU staff. Despite recommendations from a government-constituted committee to harmonize these disparities, no action has been taken to address the inequities.
ASUU’s Call to Students and Public
In their statement, ASUU-LASU appealed to students to remain calm and avoid interference in the matter, noting that the strike pertains to staff welfare issues and is a matter between the university and the state government. The union urged students to ignore a press release dated December 7, 2024, by the LASU Students’ Union, which suggested that academic activities were continuing despite the industrial strike by SSANU and NASU.
ASUU-LASU further emphasized:
- Students’ Maturity: Students were encouraged to display understanding and solidarity during this challenging time, trusting that efforts are underway to resolve the situation.
- Non-Interference: The union reminded students that they have no direct stake in staff welfare matters and should not be drawn into conflicts that do not concern them.
Appeal to Authorities
The union expressed hope that the Lagos State Government and the university management would expedite efforts to address the salary increment and harmonization issues. They noted that formal communication about the strike had been sent to both the Vice-Chancellor of LASU and the Governor of Lagos State, who serves as the Visitor to the university.
Broader Context
This indefinite strike by ASUU-LASU comes amid ongoing industrial action by SSANU and NASU at LASU, further paralyzing academic and administrative activities. The joint decision by all staff unions reflects the deep dissatisfaction among employees over unresolved welfare issues and perceived neglect by the state government.
Conclusion
ASUU-LASU’s indefinite strike signals a critical moment for Lagos State University as it seeks resolution to longstanding issues of salary disparity and government inaction. The union’s leadership has urged all stakeholders to remain patient and cooperative, emphasizing their commitment to achieving fairness and justice for LASU staff. As the strike continues, students and staff alike await meaningful interventions from the state government and university management.
