Education Crisis Looms! LASU On Lockdown As Govt Pleads For End To Strike

The Lagos State Government has issued a fresh appeal to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of staff unions at Lagos State University (LASU), urging them to end their indefinite strike, which has brought academic and administrative operations at the institution to a halt.

According to iReporter Online, the government emphasized that the well-being of both staff and students remains a paramount concern. The ongoing industrial action, which began last Friday, was declared by the JAC—a coalition that includes the LASU branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). The unions are protesting unresolved welfare grievances and salary-related disputes.

In an official statement released on Monday, the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr. Mamud Hassan, confirmed that the government has received formal complaints from the unions. He also noted that high-level discussions are ongoing to resolve the matter. These talks reportedly involve top government figures, including the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.

The government claims that there had been a prior consensus with the unions to refrain from any disruptive measures and continue peaceful negotiations—an agreement it now accuses the unions of violating.

In the same statement, Mr. Hassan warned that the prolonged suspension of academic and administrative activities could jeopardize the academic future of LASU students, who remain central to the institution’s mission.

Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, also appealed for patience and collaboration. He urged union leaders to recognize the financial strain currently facing the state, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to adequately fund tertiary education.

Sule reiterated that open and constructive dialogue remains the government’s preferred path to resolving the crisis. He called for trust and mutual understanding, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through shared responsibility and genuine engagement.