Teaching and non-teaching staff of Lagos State government-owned universities have commenced an indefinite strike. The industrial action was announced by the Joint Action Committee of Workers of Lagos State-owned Universities on Friday. The strike involves the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions.
The affected institutions are Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, and Lagos State University College of Medicine. The unions are demanding the full implementation of the signed 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria/unions agreement across the four institutions. They also want a one-off payment of nine months' accumulated arrears covering January to September 2026.
The unions are also demanding adherence to the agreed non-taxable status of negotiated allowances and implementation of a 15 per cent "Lagos Factor" allowance. This allowance is intended to cushion the impact of the high cost of living in the state. Other demands include the implementation of previous commitments by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, including a 20 per cent salary increase pledged in 2023.
The unions expressed disappointment that some states with fewer financial resources had commenced implementation of similar agreements. They questioned why Lagos State should be an exception. The unions accused the state government of applying different standards to workers, alleging that core civil servants in the state had continued to enjoy allowances and other benefits that university workers were being denied.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, JAC Chairman, Prof. Ibraheem Bakare, said the workers had demonstrated patience and commitment to dialogue. However, they were compelled to embark on the strike after exhausting available channels for resolving the disputes. Bakare said the unions considered their demands legitimate and within the financial capacity of the state government.
The unions remain open to intervention by the governor. However, Bakare warned that the unions would not resume work unless all the demands were addressed. Leaving any of the issues unresolved would undermine existing agreements and prevent the workers from calling off the strike. Only immediate intervention by the governor could avert a prolonged disruption of academic and administrative activities in the affected institutions.
The strike may disrupt academic and administrative activities in the affected institutions. The unions' demands are aimed at improving the welfare of workers and enhancing the overall quality of education in the state. The outcome of the strike and its potential impact on the education sector in Lagos State remain uncertain.
Key points
- The strike involves four Lagos State-owned universities.
- The unions are demanding a 15 per cent "Lagos Factor" allowance.
- The strike may disrupt academic and administrative activities in the affected institutions.
