LASU Staff Union Begins Strike As Exams Faces Disruption

Lagos State University has been brought to a standstill after staff unions declared an indefinite strike, shutting down operations across all campuses.

The action officially began on July 31, following a joint decision by the four main staff unions representing both academic and non-academic workers.

The strike was triggered by unresolved issues between the unions and the university’s management. According to union leaders, multiple appeals to address welfare-related grievances have been ignored, forcing them to take stronger action. The failure of ongoing discussions and the lack of response to earlier warnings left the unions with no alternative.

Workers involved in the strike include members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, the Non-Academic Staff Union, and the National Association of Academic Technologists. All staff were directed to vacate their duty posts across the Ojo main campus, LASUCOM in Ikeja, and the Epe campus.

The timing of the strike has created anxiety within the university, especially among students preparing for second semester examinations. With the strike affecting both teaching and administration, many fear the exams may not go ahead as scheduled in early August. Lecturers are unavailable, and support staff have downed tools, leaving students and faculty in limbo.

University management has not yet made any public move to address the strike. A formal letter detailing the demands was delivered to the Vice Chancellor, but no statement or proposal has been issued in response. Union leaders say the strike will continue until the demands are properly addressed.

On the ground, classrooms are empty and offices locked. Students have expressed frustration as academic plans have been thrown off course once again. This strike adds to a long list of industrial actions that have interrupted academic calendars in Nigerian public universities over the years.

Unless urgent steps are taken to open dialogue, LASU could face a prolonged shutdown. Stakeholders are now watching to see whether the state government or school management will act quickly to bring both sides to the table.