Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has called off its industrial action at three Lagos State-owned universities, directing its members to return to classrooms with immediate effect after the Lagos State Government approved critical components of the union's welfare demands. The suspension, announced on Friday, October 9, 2026, brings relief to students and parents affected by the disruption of academic activities at Lagos State University, LASU; Lagos State University of Education, LASUED; and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH.
The decision followed negotiations between the union and the Lagos State Government over staff welfare and the implementation of outstanding agreements. In a joint statement signed by Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator of the Steering Committee, ASUU-LASU; Grace Abimbola, Acting Chairman, ASUU-LASUED; and Murisiku Onigemo, Chairman, ASUU-LASUTECH, the union leadership described the development as a significant milestone. "Our struggle for improved staff welfare and the implementation of vital academic agreements has reached a significant milestone, largely due to the collective support of well-meaning individuals and organisations," the statement said. "As our members return to the classrooms with immediate effect, we reaffirm our commitment to academic excellence and quality university education."
At the heart of the resolution was Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's approval of key welfare components, conveyed in a letter dated October 7, 2026, signed by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, and addressed to the ASUU chairmen in the three universities. The approvals included the 40 per cent Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, the 10 per cent Earned Academic Allowance, and professorial allowances. The ASUU-LASUED congress, which met on Thursday, October 8, commended the governor for approving these critical staff welfare components, describing the development as a significant step forward in addressing the remuneration and overall welfare of academic staff within Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions. The union also resolved that deductions for the recapitalisation of NUPEMCO shares, originally approved on April 2, 2026, would commence with October 2026 salaries, subject to the fulfilment of conditions governing the newly approved allowances.
Despite the suspension, the union made clear that several key matters remain under active discussion. Further negotiations with the Lagos State Government will focus on the full domestication of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement, including the provision for salary-for-life for retired professors; continued dialogue regarding the proposed Lagos Factor Allowance; and other internal and external welfare demands. "We also look forward to continued engagement with the Lagos State Government to ensure the full resolution of all outstanding issues relating to our welfare package," the union said.
The strike had been declared on September 15, 2026, after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31. The union had cited the government's failure to implement outstanding agreements and address welfare concerns affecting academic staff in the three state-owned institutions. The industrial action disrupted academic activities for nearly a month, leaving students uncertain about the fate of their semester and placing parents under pressure as they awaited a resolution. The suspension means academic activities are set to resume immediately, with LASUED announcing that full academic activities would commence on Monday, October 12, 2026.
The union expressed gratitude to the media, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, students, parents and other stakeholders who supported its members throughout the negotiations. It specifically recognised the contributions of pro-worker organisations, including the Joint Action Front, Education Rights Concern and Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights, describing their advocacy as supportive of quality public tertiary education. The ASUU leaders also appreciated traditional rulers for their interventions and acknowledged the patience and understanding demonstrated by students and parents during the strike. "We deeply appreciate your resilience, patience, and understanding throughout this period. We recognise the sacrifices you have made and reaffirm that our struggle remains focused on securing improved staff welfare and a better future for public university education in Lagos State," the union said.
Students have been advised to monitor official university communication channels for immediate updates regarding lecture timetables, revised academic calendars, and examination schedules. The suspension of the strike is expected to bring relief to students and parents affected by the disruption of academic activities at the three state-owned institutions.
The development at the Lagos state-owned universities comes amid a broader climate of industrial tension in Nigeria's tertiary education sector. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over the uneven implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement, demanding the immediate release of funds and full payment of outstanding arrears calculated from January 1, 2026. The Federal Government subsequently released the Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance for the period from January to August 2026, a move that averted a potential strike. Meanwhile, ASUU at LAUTECH has demanded the full implementation of the 2025 agreement, warning of a possible strike if its demands are not met. The resolution of the Lagos strike through negotiation and the approval of welfare components provides a template that other state governments and the Federal Government could follow in addressing the grievances of university-based unions.
The political context of the suspension is significant. The 2027 general elections are less than four months away, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, and the governorship and state assembly elections for February 6. Education has emerged as a central issue in the campaign, and the stability of the university system is a key concern for students, parents and the broader electorate. The Lagos State Government's decision to approve the welfare components and the union's decision to suspend the strike reflect a recognition on both sides that a prolonged disruption of academic activities would have consequences for students and for the political environment in which the elections will be conducted. For the students of LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH, the resumption of academic activities marks the end of a period of uncertainty. For the union, the suspension represents a partial victory and a platform for continued engagement. For the Lagos State Government, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that it can resolve labour disputes through dialogue and concession. The coming weeks will determine whether the outstanding issues are resolved as promised and whether the academic calendar can be stabilised before the end of the year.
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