Lecturers in three Lagos State-owned universities have suspended their industrial action and will return to classrooms immediately, ending a disruption that had kept thousands of students out of lecture halls.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced the suspension over the weekend. The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
The decision brings relief to students and parents, who had borne the brunt of the stoppage.
Negotiations that led to the suspension centred on improved staff welfare and the implementation of outstanding academic agreements. The unions did not disclose the terms of any deal with the Lagos State Government, but said engagement would continue to resolve all remaining issues on the welfare package.
In a joint statement, Olusegun Babalola, coordinator of the steering committee, ASUU-LASU; Grace Abimbola, acting chairman, ASUU-LASUED; and Murisiku Onigemo, chairman, ASUU-LASUSTECH, applauded the media, civil society organisations (CSOs), traditional rulers, students, parents and other stakeholders for their support throughout the talks.
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“Our struggle for improved staff welfare and the implementation of vital academic agreements has reached a significant milestone, largely due to the collective support of well-meaning individuals and organisations,” the unions said.
They credited the press for coverage that ensured their grievances reached the public and policymakers, and singled out the Joint Action Front (JAF), Education Rights Concern (ERC) and the Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights (CDWR), among other pro-worker groups, for defending quality public tertiary education.
Traditional rulers were also commended for their interventions and behind-the-scenes diplomacy, which the unions said helped bridge communication gaps at critical moments of the impasse.
The unions acknowledged the sacrifices of students and parents during the strike and said their struggle remained focused on securing better welfare for lecturers and a better future for public university education in Lagos State.
“As our members return to the classrooms with immediate effect, we reaffirm our commitment to academic excellence and quality university education.
“We also look forward to continued engagement with the Lagos State Government to ensure the full resolution of all outstanding issues relating to our welfare package,” the statement read.
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