The initial excitement surrounding the upgrade of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) to Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) is giving way to growing discontent as academic staff decry harsh working conditions and inadequate welfare.
At an international press conference held at the ASUU Secretariat, Dr. Akolade Lapite, Chairman of ASUU-LASUED, outlined a series of grievances. These include issues with salary harmonisation, six years of outstanding incremental rate and arrears, pension remittance delays, and discrimination against staff pursuing NUC-approved postgraduate programmes in private universities.
“We are faced with challenges such as poor networking facilities, inadequate relocation allowances, and a lack of vehicles for staff. Relocation between our campuses at Ijanikin and Noforija/Epe has become a financial and personal burden,” Dr. Lapite lamented. He emphasized the dangers posed by the 113-kilometer daily commute for lecturers, which significantly reduces lecture time for students.
The union also expressed frustration over salary harmonisation, noting that many staff received minimal increases far below expectations. The outstanding arrears, dating back to 2013, have created financial strain, with staff denied statutory hazard and transport allowances.
Dr. Lapite further criticized the non-remittance of pension contributions, describing it as a violation of staff’s financial security and a breach of statutory obligations. He condemned the management’s stance on postgraduate qualifications from private universities, calling it discriminatory and detrimental to academic progress.
In response, Vice Chancellor Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye acknowledged the challenges but highlighted ongoing efforts. She stated that memos regarding relocation bonuses have been sent to the government without response. To mitigate commuting issues, she promoted blended learning, with 70 percent of classes conducted online.
Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye reassured staff of efforts to resolve the 72 months’ arrears and improve campus connectivity, noting that WiFi is now functional in all departments. She emphasized that salaries have been paid regularly since her tenure began in 2020.
The Vice Chancellor concluded by reaffirming her commitment to addressing staff welfare and working with the government to resolve the lingering issues.
Despite these assurances, Dr. Lapite stressed the urgency of addressing the union’s demands to restore trust and improve the academic environment. “Prioritising fair compensation, proper infrastructure, and adherence to academic standards is crucial for the university’s future and its standing as a respected institution of higher learning,” he stated.
