UNILAG Rejects ASUU Strike, Insists Exams Will Hold

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has criticised the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for declaring an industrial action without following due process, insisting that ongoing semester examinations will proceed as scheduled.

ASUU’s UNILAG chapter had directed lecturers to withdraw their services starting Wednesday, following what it described as incomplete salary payments for January and February.

The directive was issued after a union congress held on Tuesday.

Chairman of ASUU at the university, Prof Idowu Keinde, said members received what the union described as “amputated salaries.”

Prof Keinde explained that lecturers were not paid the full components of their remuneration, including the Consolidated Salary Structure for Academics, Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, and Professorial Allowance.

He said lecturers would remain on strike until the outstanding payments were made.

Reacting to the development, the university management said the union failed to follow the required procedures before declaring the industrial action.

Head of the UNILAG Communication Unit, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, said the university remained committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue.

“The management of the University of Lagos has noted reports circulating in the media that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNILAG Chapter, directed its members to suspend their services over alleged unpaid Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowances,” Mrs Alaga-Ibraheem said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Management observes that due process was not followed in making this declaration. Nevertheless, in its commitment to the welfare of staff and students, the university has continued to engage with the ASUU executive to address all issues.”

Despite the strike declaration, the university said ongoing examinations would not be suspended.

Mrs Alaga-Ibraheem explained that the decision was taken to avoid disrupting the academic calendar, particularly as students are already sitting for semester examinations.

“The university is particularly mindful that students are currently at a critical stage of the academic session, with semester examinations already underway,” she said.

“Any disruption at this time would adversely affect students, especially those scheduled to commence the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme, internships, and those preparing to proceed to the Law School.”

However, she noted that examinations in courses where students had been informed of postponement by their Deans or Heads of Department would be rescheduled.

The university added that examinations would continue normally from Thursday, 12 March 2026, and that faculty heads were directed to ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations.

Background

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between university lecturers and authorities over salary payments and allowances in Nigerian public universities.

ASUU has repeatedly raised concerns about delays in salary payments and outstanding academic allowances across federal universities.

Union industrial actions have historically disrupted academic calendars, sometimes forcing institutions to suspend academic activities for months.

UNILAG management said discussions with the union leadership were ongoing to reach an amicable resolution.