UNILAG ASUU begins indefinite strike over ‘amputated’ salaries

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter at the University of Lagos has declared an indefinite strike over what it described as “amputated” salaries paid to its members for January and February 2026.

The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after an emergency congress on Tuesday and signed by the union’s chairperson, Idou Kehinde, and secretary, Adesina Arikawe.

According to the union, the strike will commence on Wednesday and remain in force until the university management pays the withheld portions of the salaries.

ASUU said the decision followed “extensive and exhaustive” deliberations on the deductions made from members’ salaries over the past two months.

The communiqué alleged that the university paid reduced salaries to lecturers in January and February.

“The University discriminately paid amputated salary in January 2026 to all members — (i) Akoka Campus: No EAA payment; (ii) Idi-Araba Campus: No EAA and CATA payments. The University also unilaterally and wickedly paid amputated February 2026 salary to all our members,” the statement read.

The union condemned the deductions, describing the action as unacceptable and accusing the university administration of acting unfairly toward academic staff.

ASUU therefore directed its members to withdraw their services starting March 11, 2026, until the issue is resolved.

“In view of the foregoing and in line with the subsisting Pre-NDC NEC resolution of Thursday, May 8, 2025, Congress unanimously resolves to reject the recent action that resulted in members receiving amputated salaries and to withdraw our services until the university pays our January and February 2026 salaries in full,” the communiqué added.

The development comes months after the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU reached a renegotiated agreement in late 2025 aimed at resolving longstanding disputes in the university system.

The deal, which took effect on January 1, 2026, included a 40 per cent increase in academic staff emoluments under the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and the introduction of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance.

It also retained and revised the Earned Academic Allowances, which cover responsibilities such as postgraduate supervision, excess workload and examination duties.

The agreement was expected to curb recurring industrial actions, improve staff welfare and stabilise Nigeria’s public universities, although implementation challenges have reportedly surfaced in some institutions.