The management of the University of Lagos has criticised the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities for declaring an industrial action without following proper procedures.
ASUU’s UNILAG chapter had, during a congress held on Tuesday, directed its members to withdraw their services starting Wednesday. The lecturers said the decision was in protest against what they described as “amputated” salaries paid for January and February.
Speaking on the development, the chairman of ASUU UNILAG, Idowu Keinde, said lecturers did not receive their full salary components. According to him, the payments excluded parts of the Consolidated Salary Structure for Academics, the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and the Professorial Allowance.
Keinde maintained that lecturers would not return to work until their full salaries are paid.
However, reacting to the announcement, the university management said the union did not follow due process before declaring the strike.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of the Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, the university said it would continue discussions with the ASUU leadership to resolve the issues raised, particularly those relating to unpaid Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowances.
“The management of the University of Lagos has noted reports circulating in the media that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNILAG Chapter, at its congress held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, directed its members to suspend their services over alleged unpaid Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowances,” the statement said.
The management added that although the union did not follow the proper process before declaring the industrial action, the university remains committed to engaging with ASUU in order to find a resolution.
Despite the dispute, the university assured students that academic activities, especially ongoing examinations, would continue as scheduled.
The management explained that the institution is mindful that students are currently at a critical stage of the academic session, with semester examinations already in progress.
According to the statement, any disruption at this stage could negatively affect students, particularly those preparing for the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme, internships and those expected to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
The university, however, clarified that examinations for courses where students have already been informed by their deans or heads of department that tests will not hold would be rescheduled.
It added that all other examinations would proceed as planned from Thursday, March 12, 2026, with deans expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams.
The management also appealed to members of the university community to remain calm and continue their normal academic activities while discussions with the ASUU leadership continue in search of an amicable resolution.
