The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has assured students that ongoing semester examinations will continue despite the industrial action declared by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU at UNILAG announced the strike after an emergency congress held on March 10, directing lecturers to withdraw their services from Wednesday over what the union described as “amputated” salaries for the months of January and February. According to the union, some components of their pay were not fully paid, including the Consolidated Salary Structure for Academics, Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Professorial Allowance.
The chairman of the union at UNILAG, Professor Idowu Keinde, said lecturers would not return to work until the outstanding salary components are fully settled.
Reacting to the development, the university management said the strike did not follow the proper procedures but added that discussions with the union were ongoing to resolve the issues, particularly the unpaid teaching allowances.
The university explained that students are currently at a crucial stage of the academic calendar, with semester examinations already in progress. It noted that disrupting the examinations would negatively affect students, especially those preparing for internships, the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme, and those planning to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
UNILAG therefore directed that examinations should continue as scheduled from March 12, while deans and heads of departments were asked to ensure proper arrangements for the smooth conduct of the exams. However, the management acknowledged that some examinations might be postponed where departments had already informed students of changes.
The university appealed to members of the university community to remain calm while efforts continue to reach an amicable resolution with the ASUU leadership.
