Academic and non-academic staff of Lagos State University, Ojo, will return to work on Wednesday following the suspension of the strike that began on July 31.
The resolution to end the industrial action was reached on Monday during a congress held on the university premises by the Joint Action Committee — an umbrella body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Non-Academic Staff Union, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, and the National Association of Academic Technologists.
Since the strike commenced, activities at the institution have been paralysed.
On August 2, the LASU Senate suspended the 2024/2025 second-semester examinations, initially billed to start on August 4, along with other academic and administrative activities, pending further notice.
Multiple LASU staff who attended Monday’s meeting confirmed the decision to resume work to The PUNCH, adding that JAC was expected to release a communiqué outlining the conditions for suspending the strike.
“We are resuming on Wednesday. We arrived at this decision at our congress today (Monday). The JAC will issue a circular detailing the analysis,” a staff member said.
“The strike has been suspended. There is an agreement that we will resume work on Wednesday,” another staff member said.
Before Monday’s resolution, workers had rejected the Lagos State Government’s offer over their outstanding entitlements.
Last Thursday, representatives of JAC and the university management met with the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, at his office, where an agreement was signed.
The five-hour meeting produced a deal in which the government agreed to pay 12 months of the 23-month arrears from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments owed to staff.
Under the arrangement, the state government will take responsibility for nine months’ payment, while the LASU management will cover the remaining three months, with payment to be made in instalments between August and December 2025.
However, at an emergency congress last Friday, many staff members rejected the agreement, insisting on full payment of the 23-month arrears in five instalments starting August 2025.
Some workers accused JAC leaders of signing an “insufficient” deal without first seeking congressional approval.
Hours after Friday’s congress, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, issued an appeal urging workers to return to duty.
“The state government has made offers in response to our demands. I know they may not meet every expectation, but I ask that we accept them as part of the realities of negotiations and life, where we win some and lose some,” she said.
She added that prolonged industrial action would have far-reaching consequences for students, the university community, and LASU’s reputation, while reminding staff of previous management achievements, including the payment of 100 per cent Christmas bonuses, prompt promotions, implementation of the new salary increment, and the clearance of long-delayed promotions.
-Punchng
