The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has signalled a potential strike action if the federal government fails to address its demands following extensive nationwide protests. For several weeks, ASUU chapters have been demonstrating across Nigeria, urging the government to honour agreements made with the union.
ASUU-UNILAG members, joined by students, held a protest on Thursday, marching from Julius Berger Hall to the university gate, displaying placards with messages such as “Education is life; proper funding of university education is non-negotiable,” and “Lecturers too want an earthly reward for teaching all professionals.”
During the protest, ASUU-UNILAG chairman, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, emphasised the protests aimed to highlight the government’s insensitivity and inaction towards the union’s demands. “We are sensitising the public to prevail on the government so that we don’t go on strike. If nothing significant comes out after all these protests, we will decide to go on strike at our next NEC meeting,” he stated.
Former ASUU-UNILAG chairman, Dr. Dele Ashiru, criticised the government’s neglect of the education sector, noting that Nigerian lecturers are among the lowest paid globally and warning against plans to privatise public universities. “No nation can rise above its level of education system. Successive governments in Nigeria have continued to pay lip service to the development of education,” Ashiru said.
The lecturers and students distributed handbills listing nine unresolved demands, including the conclusion of the renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU agreement, the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action, and funding for the revitalisation of public universities.
The union’s demands also cover the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical and part-time appointments, the release of third-party deductions, and the implementation of visitation panel reports. They also seek the replacement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) with the University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS).
As the protests continue, ASUU-UNILAG urges the government to address these issues to avoid a strike, stressing that the union’s actions are driven by a commitment to improving Nigeria’s education system, rather than self-interest.
