The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of staff unions in Lagos State-owned universities has threatened an immediate and indefinite strike. The unions issued the threat on Friday at a news conference held at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo Campus. Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, Chairman of JAC and Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU-LASU), disclosed this while addressing journalists.
JAC comprises the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU). The affected institutions are LASU, the Lagos State University of Education, the Lagos State University of Science and Technology and the Lagos State University College of Medicine.
The unions' final seven-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government would expire at midnight on Friday. Bakare said the unions had exhausted all avenues of dialogue over the implementation of the 2026 Federal Government and staff unions' agreements. He stated that the crisis resulted from bureaucratic delays, shifting goalposts and a lack of executive action on the agreements.
According to Bakare, JAC had engaged relevant government ministries since July 30 to resolve the issues through dialogue. A technical committee comprising government and JAC representatives reached consensus on the implementation of various allowances on Aug. 18. The agreed terms included 40 per cent Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance for ASUU and 35 per cent allowances for SSANU and NASU.
The parties subsequently signed a communiqué on Aug. 31, committing to implementation from September 2026 and payment of eight months' arrears. However, Bakare said that September salaries were paid without the implementation of the agreed rates and the outstanding arrears. This non-implementation had increased the outstanding arrears to nine months, covering January to September 2026.
JAC is demanding immediate executive approval and implementation of the signed 2026 agreements without further alteration or delay. The unions also demand payment of nine months' arrears, non-taxation of applicable allowances and implementation of the 15 per cent Lagos factor. Additionally, they demand fulfilment of outstanding commitments, including a 20 per cent salary increment and release of five Marcopolo buses promised to state-owned universities.
Bakare appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and students to urge the government to resolve the matter before the deadline. He stated that failure by the state government to act before midnight would trigger "an immediate, total and indefinite strike" across Lagos State-owned universities. However, Bakare said the unions remained open to immediate executive action before the expiration of the ultimatum.
Key points
- The Lagos State Government faces a potential indefinite strike by staff unions in state-owned universities over non-implementation of 2026 agreements.
- The unions have exhausted all avenues of dialogue and are demanding immediate executive approval and implementation of the signed agreements.
- The strike, if commenced, would affect LASU, the Lagos State University of Education, the Lagos State University of Science and Technology and the Lagos State University College of Medicine.
