The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, has declared an indefinite strike following the Lagos State government’s failure to implement the Nigerian Government approved salary increment for its members, which was due in January 2023.
In a statement jointly signed by the union’s Chairperson, Ibrahim Bakare, and Secretary, Sylvester Idowu, ASUU-LASU accused the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration of refusing to implement the 25% and 35% salary increases, which have already been applied in all federal universities and 18 other state universities across the country.
The strike, according to ASUU-LASU, follows the decision of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all the staff unions in the university. A letter has reportedly been sent to the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, as well as Governor Sanwo-Olu, urging action. JAC comprises ASUU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
In addition to the unpaid salary increment, the unions are calling on the Lagos State Government to harmonize LASU staff salaries with those of their counterparts in other Lagos state universities, including the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), which they claim offer better pay packages. They also noted that a committee set up by the government to look into salary harmonization has yet to implement its recommendations.
While the unions acknowledge the ongoing efforts by the university management and the state government to resolve the issue, they stressed that the strike will continue until their demands are met. The union also took issue with student leaders who suggested that only ASUU was involved in the strike.
They clarified that all unions within the university are participating in the action, reiterating that students should refrain from interfering in staff welfare matters, which they argue do not concern them directly.
“We wish to remind them that students have no stake in the matter or any right to meddle in welfare issues involving staff members of the university and the government, and as such, they should not allow themselves to be used in a matter that does not directly concern them,” the statement concluded.
