Why Lagos University Unions Are Still On Indefinite Strike

Kehinde Adeleye

University unions in Lagos State have attributed their ongoing indefinite strike to the alleged failure of the state government to implement provisions of a 2025 agreement reached between university unions and the Federal Government.

Dr Ibrahim Abiola Alabi, Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Lagos State University of Education and a member of the Joint Action Committee, disclosed this during an interview on Nigeria Info’s Morning Crossfire.

Alabi said the unions had written several letters and held meetings with government representatives before resorting to industrial action.

According to him, the December 2025 agreement directed universities, including state-owned institutions, to implement its provisions.

“The strike has become necessary as a result of non-implementation of the 2025 agreement,” Alabi said.

He said the strike, which began on September 15, had entered its fourth week, despite the unions expecting implementation to have commenced about nine months earlier.

Alabi alleged that the Lagos State Government had not formally responded to the unions since the commencement of the strike.

“We have not received any formal information,” he said, adding that a meeting earlier scheduled between the unions and the government also failed to hold.

A major point of contention, according to Alabi, is the Lagos Factor, an allowance associated with the higher cost of living in the state.

He explained that the allowance was not a new demand, as it had previously formed part of salary components, but the unions were seeking clearer incorporation of the payment into the new salary structure.

Alabi said the government had made an offer to the unions but maintained that it fell short of their expectations.

“The offer is below the union demand,” he said.

Despite the prolonged industrial action, Alabi said the unions remained willing to return to work if their demands were addressed.

“We are ready to call it off today,” he said.

“We are tired of the strike.”