Academic and non-academic staff of Lagos State University, Ojo, have agreed to return to work on Wednesday after suspending the strike that started on July 31.
The decision to halt the industrial action was reached on Monday during a congress held on the university premises by the Joint Action Committee — an umbrella body comprising 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 began, activities at the institution have been largely paralysed.
On August 2, the LASU Senate suspended the 2024/2025 second-semester examinations, which were initially scheduled to start on August 4, alongside other academic and administrative activities, pending further notice.
Several LASU staff who attended Monday’s meeting confirmed the decision to resume work to The PUNCH, adding that JAC is expected to issue a communiqué outlining the terms 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,” one staff member said.
“The strike has been suspended. There is an agreement that we will resume work on Wednesday,” another staff member added.
Before Monday’s resolution, workers had rejected the Lagos State Government’s offer concerning their outstanding entitlements.
Last Thursday, representatives of JAC and university management met with the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, at his office, where an agreement was signed.
The five-hour meeting resulted in a deal where 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 cover nine months’ payment, while LASU management will take responsibility for the remaining three months, with payments 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 further noted 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 payment of 100 per cent Christmas bonuses, prompt promotions, implementation of the new salary increment, and clearance of long-delayed promotions.
Affirming the reopening, the Senate of the university, at a meeting held on Monday, also approved the resumption of academic and social activities at the university effective Wednesday.
A statement by the Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, LASU, Thomas-Onashile Oluwayemisi, released Monday evening, urged students to move into their hostels on all campuses in Ojo, Ikeja, and Epe starting Wednesday.
The Senate also approved that the 2024/2025 Second Semester Examinations, previously suspended, should commence on Monday, August 18, 2025.
The statement read: “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.
“This follows the decision of the Joint Action Committee to call off its industrial action on Tuesday, 12th August 2025, and resume work on Wednesday, 13th August 2025, after a productive meeting with the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Thursday, 7th August 2025.
“After due consideration of the updates received from the Vice-Chancellor on the said meeting, Senate resolved that all academic and social activities should resume across the University on 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, should commence on Monday, 18th August 2025.”