Academic activities are set to resume immediately at Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) following the suspension of an industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The decision is expected to bring relief to students and parents who have faced disruptions to the academic calendar while lecturers pursued demands concerning staff welfare and the implementation of outstanding agreements with the Lagos State Government.
Union Announces Decision After Negotiations With Lagos Government
ASUU announced the suspension on Friday in a joint statement signed by Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator of the Steering Committee of ASUU-LASU; Grace Abimbola, Acting Chairman of ASUU-LASUED; and Murisiku Onigemo, Chairman of ASUU-LASUSTECH.
According to a report by TVC News on Saturday, the decision followed negotiations between the union and the Lagos State Government over lecturers’ welfare and unresolved agreements affecting the institutions.
The union described the development as an important step forward in its campaign for improved working conditions and the fulfilment of commitments made to academic staff.
“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 statement said.
Lecturers Directed to Return to Classrooms Immediately
Following the suspension, ASUU directed its members at the three institutions to resume teaching and other academic responsibilities without delay.
The move is expected to allow the universities to restart interrupted academic activities, although the statement did not provide a detailed timetable for completing any outstanding lectures, examinations or other academic requirements.
The union also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining academic standards and improving the quality of public university education.
“As our members return to the classrooms with immediate effect, we reaffirm our commitment to academic excellence and quality university education,” the statement added.
ASUU Thanks Students, Parents and Civil Society Groups
The union expressed appreciation to individuals and organisations that supported its position during the industrial action and subsequent negotiations.
It acknowledged contributions from the media, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, students, parents and other stakeholders who helped draw attention to the issues affecting lecturers.
ASUU specifically recognised the Joint Action Front, Education Rights Concern and Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights, describing their advocacy as supportive of quality public tertiary education.
The union also commended traditional rulers for their interventions and thanked students and parents for their patience and understanding throughout the disruption.
Staff Welfare Issues Remain Unresolved
Despite the suspension of the strike, ASUU indicated that its engagement with the Lagos State Government would continue.
The union said further discussions would focus on securing a full resolution of outstanding matters relating to lecturers’ welfare packages and the implementation of agreements.
This means that although academic activities are expected to resume, negotiations over the union’s demands have not necessarily concluded.
ASUU’s position signals a return to classrooms alongside continued efforts to ensure that the issues behind the industrial action are fully addressed.
Resumption Offers Relief to Students and Parents
The suspension provides an opportunity for students at LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH to return to their academic programmes after the disruption caused by the strike.
For parents, the development also offers some relief from uncertainty over the continuation of their children’s education.
However, the pace at which the institutions recover lost academic time will depend on arrangements made by their respective managements and any adjustments required to lectures, examinations and semester schedules.
With lecturers ordered back to work, attention now turns to the restoration of normal academic activities and the outcome of further talks between ASUU and the Lagos State Government.
