Lagos Varsity Staff Begin Indefinite Strike Over Nine Months’ Arrears

Teaching and non-teaching staff at four Lagos State-owned universities have begun an indefinite strike over unpaid salary arrears and the non-implementation of agreements reached with the state government.

The Joint Action Committee, JAC, representing ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT, announced the strike after its final seven-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government expired Friday.

The affected institutions are Lagos State University, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education.

JAC Chairman Ibrahim Bakare said the unions had exhausted available channels for dialogue after several meetings with government officials since July.

“We have exhausted every possible means to avert the declaration of an industrial action across state-owned universities in Lagos State,” Bakare said.

He said a technical committee comprising government and union representatives had reached an agreement in August on the implementation of allowances and other provisions.

According to the unions, the agreement signed on the 31st of August provided for implementation from September and payment of eight months of arrears dating back to January 2026.

However, the unions said September salaries were paid without the agreed adjustments or arrears, increasing the outstanding arrears to nine months, covering January through September.

JAC is demanding immediate implementation of the 2026 agreements, payment of the nine months’ arrears and non-taxation of applicable allowances.

The unions are also demanding a 15% “Lagos factor” allowance to address the higher cost of living in the state.

They want the government to fulfill other commitments, including a promised 20% salary increase and the release of five Marcopolo buses.

“However, our patience has been pushed to the absolute limit,” Bakare said.

The unions said the strike would remain in place until their demands are addressed.

The action is expected to disrupt teaching and administrative activities across the four institutions.