ASUU-LASU Threatens Strike In 7 Days

On Wednesday, the Lagos State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has given the institution a seven-day ultimatum to address its demands. Dr. Adekunle Idris, the Chairman of the Union, made this known today while speaking to journalists in Lagos. This would be a third ultimatum since March 24, when the Union declared a two-week deadline for the university authorities to reverse the increase in school fees the students had been charged with, as it had effect on students' enrollment. Also in March, the lecturers expressed dissatisfaction with the "no vacancy, no promotion" policy adopted by the university authorities, and the non-implementation of the 2009 University Miscellaneous Provision Act. On April 7, yet another 21-day deadline was announcedby the Union, but on April 30, the management was still to address the issues. According to Mr. Idris, now the lecturers intend to embark on a comprehensive and indefinite strike should the management continue to ignore them. He stressed that the Union has narrowed the number of the demands from 20 to three, but the authorities of the university have not invited the Union representatives for dialogue ever since the struggle began. He, however, expressed hope that the fresh ultimatum is another opportunity for the university to meet the demands, but warned that if nothing changes, the Union would most certainly embark on strike.