Academic and non-academic staff of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, are set to resume work on Wednesday, following the suspension of a strike action that began on July 31.
The decision to call off the industrial action was reached on Monday during a congress convened on the university campus by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), the umbrella body comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The strike had brought academic and administrative activities on campus to a halt. In response, the LASU Senate on August 2 postponed the commencement of the 2024/2025 second-semester examinations, which had been scheduled to begin on August 4, as well as all other ongoing university operations.
Staff members present at Monday’s meeting confirmed to The PUNCH that the strike had been suspended and that work would resume on Wednesday. JAC is expected to release an official communiqué outlining the details of the resolution.
“We agreed at our congress today to suspend the strike and resume duties on Wednesday,” one staff member stated. Another added, “JAC will issue a formal circular detailing the agreement and the basis for our decision.”
Prior to Monday’s resolution, union members had rejected an offer from the Lagos State Government regarding their outstanding entitlements. However, on Thursday, representatives of JAC and the university management met with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, at his office, where a tentative agreement was reached.
During the five-hour negotiation, the state government agreed to pay 12 months out of the 23-month salary arrears linked to the 25% and 35% approved pay increments. According to the agreement, the Lagos State Government will cover nine months, while LASU management will be responsible for the remaining three months. The payments will be disbursed in instalments between August and December 2025.
Despite the deal, many staff members at an emergency congress held last Friday expressed dissatisfaction, demanding full payment of the 23-month arrears in five instalments, starting from August 2025.
It remains to be seen whether further negotiations will take place, even as work resumes and activities pick up on campus once again.
