LASU Workers Suspend Strike, Resumption Set for Wednesday

Academic and non-academic staff at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, have agreed to suspend their ongoing strike and resume work on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The strike, which began on July 31, 2025, had caused a significant disruption to activities across the institution.

The suspension decision was made on Monday during a congress held on the university campus by the Joint Action Committee (JAC). This body consists of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). The move brings an end to the paralysed operations at LASU since the strike began.

As part of the strike, LASU’s Senate had suspended the 2024/2025 second-semester examinations, initially scheduled to begin on August 4, 2025, and also halted other academic and administrative activities until further notice.

A source within the university, who attended Monday’s meeting, confirmed to The PUNCH that the strike had officially been suspended. “We are resuming on Wednesday. We arrived at this decision at our congress today (Monday),” the source stated. The JAC is expected to issue a formal communiqué outlining the conditions for the suspension.

Prior to Monday’s resolution, LASU workers had rejected an offer from the Lagos State Government to settle outstanding salary arrears. The government had proposed to pay 12 months of the 23-month salary arrears from the 25% and 35% salary increments owed. Under the deal, the government would pay for nine months, while the university management would cover the remaining three months, with payments spread from August to December 2025.

However, the agreement was met with resistance at an emergency congress held on Friday, August 8, 2025. Staff members rejected the proposal, demanding full payment of the 23-month arrears in five instalments beginning in August 2025. Some workers accused JAC leaders of agreeing to an “insufficient” deal without consulting the wider membership first.

Following the congress, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, issued an appeal to workers to return to their duties. “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,” she said. Prof. Olatunji-Bello also warned that prolonged industrial action could have severe consequences for students, the university community, and LASU’s reputation.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, the LASU Senate met and approved the resumption of academic and social activities from Wednesday, August 13, 2025. A statement issued by the university’s Centre for Information and Public Relations confirmed that students should return to their hostels across LASU campuses in Ojo, Ikeja, and Epe on Wednesday.

The Senate also set the date for the 2024/2025 Second Semester Examinations to resume on Monday, August 18, 2025. The statement urged students to adequately prepare for the upcoming exams and return to campus on time.

The statement concluded:
“The Senate of Lagos State University, at its meeting held on Monday, 11th August 2025, approved the resumption of academic and social activities in the University with effect from Wednesday, 13th August 2025. Students should move into their hostels on all University campuses in Ojo, Ikeja, and Epe from Wednesday, 13th August 2025. The 2024/2025 Second Semester Examinations, previously suspended, will commence on Monday, 18th August 2025.”