The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has renewed pressure on the Lagos State Government over lecturer welfare, alleging that senior academics in the state's three public universities now earn less than principals in Lagos public secondary schools. The union urged Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu to immediately implement the 2025 Federal Government ASUU salary agreement in Lagos owned tertiary Institutions.

The demands were presented during a joint media briefing by ASUU branches at Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED). ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Comrade Oluwaseun Babalola, stated that lecturers have continued waiting for implementation of the new salary structure despite an understanding that it would take effect from January 2026, noting that the prolonged delay has placed academic staff under increasing financial pressure amid rising cost of living.

Babalola argued that professors' current remuneration no longer reflects their status, alleging that some principals in Lagos State's secondary school system now receive higher monthly salaries than University Professors. To support the claim, the union displayed what it described as the salary details of a public secondary school principal, maintaining that no Professor at LASU currently earns a comparable amount.

ASUU also raised concern over tax deductions from lecturers' salaries, claiming that statutory deductions have continued rising even though the revised salary structure has not been implemented, further reducing academics' take home pay.

Beyond remuneration, the union called for the reinstatement of five former ASUU LASU branch officials dismissed several years ago, insisting their removal was linked to legitimate union activities. The affected academics include former branch chairman Dr Isaac Oyewunmi and four other former executives.

ASUU also flagged shrinking space for union activities within the Institutions. Chairman of ASUU LASUED, Dr Victor Akinola, alleged that internal dispute resolution mechanisms had become ineffective, leaving staff complaints unresolved for extended periods, while ASUU LASUSTECH Chairman, Comrade Murisiku Onigemo, identified delays in staff promotion exercises as another concern affecting morale and productivity.

The union urged the state government to implement the 2025 agreement without further delay, address outstanding welfare concerns and engage university unions to prevent avoidable industrial disputes. The Lagos State Government had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.