GRV criticises Lagos govt over state university workers’ strike - The Guardian Nigeria News
The 2027 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV) has criticised the Lagos State Government for the indefinite strike by university workers.
The Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and Lagos State University of Communication (LASUCOM) embarked on an indefinite strike on Friday, October 2, 2026, citing nine months of unpaid salary arrears from January to September 2026 and failure to implement agreed salary structures.
The Joint Action Committee of unions (ASUU, SSANU, NASU, NAAT) initiated the strike after a seven-day ultimatum expired, highlighting Lagos’s high Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and federal allocations while demanding domestication of the 2026 FGN/unions agreement.
Reacting on Sunday via a post on his official X account, GRV called for immediate payment of arrears, full implementation of the 15% “Lagos Factor” allowance to address high living costs, and fulfillment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 2023 pledges for a 20% salary increase and five Marcopolo buses.
“Since 2 October 2026, all four Lagos State-owned universities: LASU, LASUED, LASUSTECH and LASUCOM have been shut by an indefinite strike. This was avoidable and unacceptable,” GRV lamented.
“University workers deserve a pay rise and a government that honours its commitments to them. A government that allows its universities to shut down indefinitely is not only failing its workers, it is gambling with the future of our children.
“Nine months of unpaid arrears, from January to September 2026, Implementation of the agreed salary structure and a 15 per cent “Lagos Factor” to reflect the extraordinary cost of living in Lagos, are not unreasonable demands in an economy that has pauperized working people.
“Lagos is now the biggest recipient of federal allocations among Nigeria’s states. It’s internally generated revenue is unquestionably the highest, but yet it lacks empathy towards its workers.
“Recall that in 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledged a 20 percent salary increase for university workers and five Marcopolo buses to improve transportation for students and staff.
“Three years later, workers are still waiting. A government that cannot fulfil a commitment to provide five buses for its own universities must explain why Lagosians should continue to trust its promises.”
The ADC 2027 gubernatorial candidate and former 2023 Labour Party contender in Lagos State urged the government to immediately pay the nine months of arrears owed to university workers, covering January to September 2026.
“I therefore call on the Lagos State Government to immediately pay the nine months of arrears owed to university workers, covering January to September 2026,” GRV said.
“Additionally, the government must Implement the agreed salary structure and the 15 per cent Lagos Factor in full.
“It should also honour the 2023 commitment to provide five Marcopolo buses for our universities.
“I call on Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Hamzat, to meet with the unions this week and bring this strike to an immediate end.”
According to GRV, Lagos can afford to pay its university workers but what the state cannot afford is a government that chooses its comfort over the future of the children.
