Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its industrial action at Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), directing lecturers to resume academic activities immediately.
The decision followed negotiations between the union and the Lagos State Government over staff welfare and the implementation of outstanding agreements affecting lecturers at the three state-owned universities.
The suspension was announced on Friday in a joint statement signed by Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator of the Steering Committee, ASUU-LASU; Grace Abimbola, Acting Chairman, ASUU-LASUED; and Murisiku Onigemo, Chairman, ASUU-LASUSTECH.
The development is expected to ease disruptions to academic activities and provide relief to students and parents affected by the strike.
ASUU said its campaign for improved staff welfare and the implementation of key academic agreements had recorded significant progress, crediting the outcome to the support of individuals and organisations that backed its demands.
“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.
The union expressed appreciation to media organisations, civil society groups, traditional rulers, students, parents and other stakeholders who supported the negotiations.
It specifically acknowledged the contributions of the Joint Action Front, Education Rights Concern and Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights, noting their advocacy for quality public tertiary education.
The lecturers also commended traditional rulers for their interventions and thanked students and parents for their patience and understanding throughout the industrial action.
While directing its members to return to the classrooms with immediate effect, ASUU reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and quality 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.
However, the suspension does not mark the end of the union’s engagement with the Lagos State Government, as ASUU said it would continue negotiations to secure the full resolution of outstanding issues concerning its members’ welfare package.
