THE Joint Action Committee (JAC) of staff unions, including the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU-LASU), at Lagos State University (LASU) has declared an indefinite strike, effectively grounding all academic and administrative activities across the institution.
This disruption came just days ahead of the university’s 2024/2025 second semester examinations, which were scheduled to begin on Monday, August 4.
In a letter dated July 31, 2025, and addressed to the university’s vice-chancellor, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the committee announced the commencement of the industrial action over unresolved issues with the school management.
The joint committee comprises the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-LASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU-LASU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU-LASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT-LASU).
The notice was jointly signed by the chairman of the ASUU-LASU, Ibrahim A. Bakare, and Secretary Sylvester O. Idowu; chairman of SSANU-LASU, Oluwaseyi Lawal and Secretary Waheed Majekodunmi.
“Sequel to the decision reached at the Emergency Congress of the Joint Action Committee of the Lagos State University Staff Unions (ASUU-LASU, SSANU-LASU, NAAT-LASU & NASU-LASU) that an indefinite strike action should commence effective from Thursday, 31st July, 2025, we write to notify you that the indefinite strike action has commenced in Lagos State University,” the statement read.
The unions directed all their members at LASU’s main campus, the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, and the LASU Epe campus to withdraw their services and vacate their duty posts with immediate effect.
They emphasised that the strike would continue indefinitely until all demands are met by the appropriate authorities.
Two strikes in eight months
The ICIR reports that this development marks a continuation of labour unrest at the institution, following a previous strike action led by the JAC in December 2024.
The ASUU-LASU, while announcing the strike, protested the Lagos State Government’s refusal to implement the 25–35 per cent salary increment approved by the Federal Government in January 2023, despite similar compliance by 18 other state universities.
A statement by the ASUU-LASU Chairperson, Ibrahim Bakare, a professor, and Secretary Sylvester Idowu in December noted that the declaration of the strike action conformed with the decision of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all the staff unions in the university.
“We note with dismay that this agreement has been implemented in all the federal universities and eighteen (18) state universities as of today,” the statement said.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M