The tension at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and across the Nigerian tertiary education sector is peaking this week as unions move from localized protests to potential national “solidarity” actions.
​The UNILAG strike, which began over “amputated” salaries (unexplained deductions in January and February 2026), has become a flashpoint for the entire university system.
As of today, ASUU-UNILAG remains on an indefinite strike. While the university management insists that exams and administrative work must continue, the withdrawal of services by lecturers at the Akoka and Idi-Araba campuses has caused significant disruption.
National bodies (ASUU and JAC) have hinted that if the UNILAG management and the Federal Government do not resolve the specific salary shortfalls and the broader CONUASS (Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary) implementation issues by Friday, May 22, other chapters may join in “sympathy strikes.”
While non-academic staff across the country briefly suspended their nationwide strike on May 11, they are currently on a “high-alert” status. Their Joint Action Committee (JAC) has warned that they will resume full industrial action if the government’s two-week promise for renegotiation (expiring next week) is not met.
