Academic and non-academic workers across Lagos State-owned universities have commenced an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of agreements reached with the state government and outstanding salary and allowance arrears.

The Joint Action Committee, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union and National Association of Academic Technologists, declared the industrial action after the expiration of a final seven-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government.

The affected institutions are Lagos State University, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education. The unions said the strike followed months of discussions with government officials over the implementation of the 2026 Federal Government and staff unions’ agreements.

JAC Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, said negotiations had produced a technical committee consensus in August, including a 40 per cent Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance for ASUU and 35 per cent allowances for SSANU and NASU. He said a communiqué containing the agreed terms was subsequently signed on August 31.

According to Bakare, the unions expected implementation alongside the August or September 2026 salaries, with arrears dating back to January. However, he said September salaries were paid without the agreed adjustments or outstanding payments, increasing the arrears to nine months covering January to September.

The unions are demanding immediate implementation of the signed agreements, payment of the nine months’ arrears, compliance with the agreed non-taxable status of allowances and a 15 per cent “Lagos Factor” to reflect the cost of living in the state. They are also seeking the fulfilment of other outstanding commitments, including a previously promised 20 per cent salary increase and the release of five Marcopolo buses.

The industrial action adds to an existing dispute involving ASUU, which had already commenced an indefinite strike at LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH in September over the implementation of its agreement. Meanwhile, SSANU’s national leadership has authorised its LASU branch to begin an indefinite strike from October 5 over the same unresolved 2026 agreement.