The management of the University of Lagos has voiced strong disapproval over the decision by the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to initiate an industrial action, claiming the union bypassed established protocols. This friction comes after a Tuesday congress where lecturers were directed to withdraw their services starting Wednesday. The heart of the dispute lies in what the union describes as “amputated” salaries for January and February, leaving many academic staff without their full pay.
According to Prof. Idowu Keinde, the Chairman of the UNILAG branch of the union, lecturers have not received several key components of their compensation. This includes the Consolidated Salary Structure for Academics, as well as specific allowances for academic tools and professorial duties. The union’s stance remains firm: there will be no return to the classrooms or offices until these outstanding payments are settled in full.
In response to these developments, the university administration, through its communications lead, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, clarified that discussions are still active to resolve the concerns regarding the unpaid allowances. However, Zoyols reports that the institution officially faulted the strike’s sudden nature, insisting that due process was ignored in the lead-up to the declaration. Despite this, the university maintains it is committed to the welfare of both its staff and its students while negotiations continue with the union executives.
A major point of concern for many is the fate of the ongoing semester examinations. The university has made it clear that it intends to proceed with the academic calendar as planned, noting that students are currently at a very sensitive stage of the session. Disrupting the flow now could have a domino effect on those preparing for internships, the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme, or those heading to Law School.
Consequently, the administration has announced that examinations will continue as scheduled from Thursday, March 12, 2026. While some specific tests may be shifted if students have already been notified by their respective Deans or Heads of Department, the general directive is for academic activities to persist. Reports has learned that Deans have been instructed to make all necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of these assessments.
The university leadership is appealing for calm across the campus community, urging everyone to maintain their lawful activities. The goal remains an amicable resolution that balances the financial grievances of the lecturers with the academic stability required for the students to complete their term successfully.
