R-L : Comrade Olatayo Agogo, Secretary JAC of Lagos Owned Tertiary Institutions, Comrade Obafemi Sanni Chairman NASU-LASU, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare Chairman JAC of Lagos State Owned Tertiary Institutions, Dr. Olujimi Adejo Chairman NAT-LASU, Comrade Bola Akeusola Chairman NAT-LASUED
From John Silas, Lagos
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of staff unions in Lagos State-owned universities has declared an immediate, total and indefinite strike effective from midnight, Friday, October 2, 2026.
The JAC, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), announced the action at a world press conference held on Friday.
The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).
Addressing journalists, JAC Chairman and ASUU-LASU Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, said the unions had exhausted all avenues for dialogue over the approval and implementation of the 2026 Federal Government / Staff Unions Agreements.
Bakare said the final 7-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government, following an earlier 14-day ultimatum, lapses at midnight on Friday.
According to the JAC, engagements with the state government began on July 30, 2026, with the Ministry of Establishments and Training, followed by a joint meeting on August 13 with the Ministries of Tertiary Education and Establishments and Training.
The JAC said government initially proposed a 30 per cent salary increase for SSANU/NASU and 35 per cent for ASUU, which it rejected for falling short of the 35 per cent and 40 per cent benchmarks in the signed federal agreements.
A Technical Committee set up by both parties on August 18, 2026, agreed on 40 per cent Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and other allowances for ASUU, 35 per cent CONTTA and hazard allowance for SSANU/NASU, and interim adoption of the SSANU/NASU structure for NAAT, with implementation from August or September 2026 and eight months arrears backdated to January 1, 2026.
The committee also agreed that the allowances would be non-taxable.
However, the JAC said government officials on August 24 reverted to the rejected figures and omitted key allowances, prompting the unions to step down the communiqué.
Following an appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on August 26, a final resolution was signed on August 31, 2026, committing to September 2026 implementation with full arrears.
JAC Secretary, Comrade Olatayo Agogo, said despite suspending earlier industrial action after receiving a N50,000 palliative, September salaries were paid without the agreed rates.
He said arrears have now accumulated to nine months, from January to September 2026, prompting the 14-day ultimatum on September 9 and a final 7-day ultimatum effective September 25.
The unions are demanding: Immediate executive approval and implementation of the signed 2026 FGN/ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT agreements; and One-off payment of nine months arrears from January to September 2026; Strict compliance with non-taxable terms on applicable allowances.
Others include Implementation of 15 per cent Lagos Factor to cushion high cost of living;
and Fulfilment of outstanding commitments, including the 20 per cent salary increment promised during the 2023 campaign and release of five Marcopolo buses promised to the universities.
The JAC called on parents, students, traditional rulers, religious leaders and well-meaning Lagosians to hold the state government responsible for any disruption to academic activities.
It said it remains open to immediate executive action before the midnight deadline.
