The Lagos State government has called on the striking staff of Lagos State University (LASU) to suspend their ongoing industrial action, in order to allow the government to critically evaluate their requests.
Tolani Sule, the commissioner for tertiary education, according to a statement signed by Mamud Hassan, director of public affairs, pleads for the peace, understanding, and cooperation of all stakeholders.
Sule urged the union leaders to consider government efforts in funding the university despite the increasing demands on the government cum the challenges of Lagos as a model megacity.
“With strong collaboration, understanding and trust, we can work together to find a lasting solution that benefits everyone,” the commissioner noted.
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The government is earnestly appealing to the leadership of JAC, comprising ASUU-LASU, SSANU-LASU, NAAT-LASU, and NASU-LASU, to reconsider their position and call off the industrial action.
“The suspension of academic and administrative activities not only disrupts the academic calendar but also negatively affects the future of our students, who are the primary reason for the university’s existence,” the statement emphasised.
In light of the ongoing indefinite strike, the Lagos State government assures parents, students, academic and non-academic staff, that it is committed to restoring academic activities and industrial peace at Lagos State University.
Hence, the government believed that a swift resolution could be achieved through constructive engagement, not through the disruption of the university’s operations.
Consequently, the government, through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, has consistently prioritised the welfare of its workers and students; hence, it acknowledges the concerns raised by the Joint Action Committee of all staff unions at LASU regarding their welfare demands.
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Moreover, the government acknowledged receiving their official correspondence and has held high-level meetings with union representatives, involving Bode Agoro, the head of service.
During these meetings, the statement explained that it was mutually agreed that any action that would disrupt academic and industrial peace at LASU should be shelved in order to allow the government to critically evaluate their requests.
The leadership of the head of service, the ministry of tertiary education and the ministry of establishments and training assured the unions that the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, executive governor of Lagos State, remains committed to the welfare of all state civil servants, including our dedicated staff in the tertiary education sector.
Agoro confirmed that the government is actively working to find a sustainable and amicable solution and that the door remains open for continuous dialogue.
