This is despite claims that the Lagos State Government has already released the funds to the institution.
Academic staff of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) have accused the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Balikis Lafiaji-Okuneye, of deliberately withholding several months’ salary harmonisation arrears and other statutory entitlements.
This is despite claims that the Lagos State Government has already released the funds to the institution.
Multiple sources within the university told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the alleged actions violate agreements reached between the Lagos State Government, university administrations and academic staff unions under the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
According to the sources, the state government had earlier met with academic staff unions and approved a harmonised salary structure for all state-owned universities, with a 25 per cent increment for junior academics and a 35 per cent increment for senior academics.
“The arrears on the harmonisation were initially 23 months, but government later agreed to pay 12 months. It was also agreed that universities would pay three months from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), while the state would pay nine months in three tranches,” one of the sources said.
The sources alleged that the Lagos State Government has fulfilled its obligation by releasing the nine months’ arrears to all university administrations and that most institutions have paid their staff accordingly.
“LASU and LASUSTECH have paid the nine months released by government and also paid the additional three months from their IGR. But LASUED paid only two tranches, which is six months, and withheld the remaining three months sent by government. The management has also refused to pay the three months that universities were directed to pay from IGR,” the source added.
Staff members of the university also claimed that they are owed hazard and transportation allowances spanning 72 months, describing the situation as a long-standing and unresolved welfare crisis.
“Any attempt to raise the issue of hazard and transportation allowance is being shut down by the management,” another source said.
The lecturers further complained about what they described as discriminatory payment of end-of-year bonuses. While Lagos State traditionally pays 100 per cent of basic salary as end-of-year bonus to workers in its tertiary institutions, LASUED staff allegedly receive far less.
“In 2023, we were paid 30 per cent of basic salary. In 2024, it was 40 per cent, and in 2025, 60 per cent. Meanwhile, staff in other state-owned tertiary institutions received 100 per cent,” the source stated.
Beyond welfare issues, the union accused the Vice Chancellor of fostering a climate of fear within the institution, where unionism and dissent are allegedly punished.
“It has become risky for professors to attend ASUU congresses because of fear of victimisation. Anyone who speaks up on staff welfare or union matters is tagged an enemy,” a source said.
One of the allegations involves the withdrawal of the associate professorship earlier conferred on Dr. Zosu Segbenu, reportedly because of his active involvement in union activities.
“She withdrew Dr. Zosu Segbenu’s associate professorship without council approval, which she does not have the power to do under university regulations. In the letter, she even stated that promotion is a privilege and not a right,” the source said.
The aggrieved staff members are now calling on the Lagos State Government, the LASUED Governing Council and other relevant authorities to urgently investigate the allegations, compel immediate payment of all outstanding arrears and allowances, and ensure accountability in the administration of the university.
SaharaReporters’ attempts to reach Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye were unsuccessful, as she did not answer multiple phone calls. She also had not responded to a text message requesting her reaction to the allegations.