The management of the University of Lagos has criticised the decision of the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on an industrial action, stating that the declaration did not follow established procedures.

The university made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of its Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, following reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities had directed lecturers to withdraw their services.

ASUU at the university had, after a congress held on Tuesday, instructed its members to suspend academic activities beginning Wednesday over what it described as “amputated” salaries for January and February.

Chairman of the union’s UNILAG chapter, Idou Keinde, said lecturers received incomplete salary payments which excluded components such as the Consolidated Salary Structure for Academics, Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Professorial Allowance.

Keinde maintained that lecturers would not return to classrooms until the full entitlements are paid.

Reacting to the development, the university management said it had taken note of the reports but emphasised that due process was not followed in the decision to declare the strike.

According to the statement, the institution remains committed to resolving the issues through continued engagement with the ASUU leadership, particularly regarding the unpaid Consolidated Academic Teaching Allowances.

Despite the directive by the union, the university assured students that academic activities, especially ongoing examinations, would continue as scheduled.

Management noted that the institution is currently at a crucial stage of the academic calendar, with semester examinations already in progress.

The university warned that any disruption could significantly affect students, particularly those preparing for the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), internships, and graduates set to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

However, the university stated that any course whose examination had already been postponed by Deans or Heads of Department would be rescheduled accordingly.

The statement further directed that all examinations should proceed from Thursday, March 12, with Deans expected to ensure proper arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examinations.

The management also appealed to members of the university community to remain calm and continue with lawful academic activities while discussions with the ASUU executive continue towards an amicable resolution of the dispute.