Lagos Approves Allowances, Arrears for State University Workers as Strike Decision Awaits Unions
The Lagos State Government has approved a package of allowances and arrears for workers in state-owned universities, moving to address key demands behind an ongoing indefinite strike.
The approval, dated October 7, 2026, covers major academic and non-academic staff benefits.
But the strike cannot yet be described as over.
The government has asked the affected unions to suspend the industrial action, while workers are expected to consider the approval before deciding whether to return to work.
Allowances approved for university workers
Under the approval, academic staff are to receive 40% Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and 10% Earned Academic Allowance.
The package also provides monthly allowances of ₦70,000 for Readers and ₦145,000 for Professors.
For non-academic staff, the government approved 35% revised allowances.
The measures are to take effect from January 1, 2026.
Arrears are scheduled for payment in two tranches alongside October and November salaries.
That should not yet be described as payment received.
The verified position is that the arrears have been approved and scheduled for payment.
Approval report names three universities
The wider strike had involved LASU, LASUCOM, LASUSTECH and LASUED.
However, the October 7 approval report reviewed in current coverage specifically names the three state-owned universities LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH.
That distinction should be preserved rather than assuming the latest approval report expressly covers every institution previously affected by the strike.
Strike decision now rests with unions
The industrial action involves workers represented by ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT.
The latest approval materially changes the dispute because the state has moved beyond earlier assurances to a formal implementation package.
But the unions have not yet been confirmed to have formally suspended the strike.
Until they announce a decision, any claim that normal academic activities have fully resumed would be premature.
Not every issue appears resolved
The available reporting does not establish that every union demand has been settled.
Current reports specifically indicate that emoluments for retired professors were not captured in the approval.
Other earlier demands may require fresh union confirmation before they are described as still outstanding after the new government offer.
Approval is not payment
The distinction between approval and implementation remains central.
The state has approved the benefits and set out a payment timetable, but there is not yet verified evidence that workers have received the arrears.
The next accountability test is whether the unions accept the package and whether the approved payments reach workers as scheduled.
For students and staff, the immediate consequence remains uncertainty over when normal academic activities will resume.
For now, the verified position is:
Lagos State has approved major allowances and arrears for workers in its state-owned universities and has asked unions to suspend their strike. The unions have not yet been confirmed to have ended the action, and receipt of the approved arrears has not yet been established.
