Academic staff of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) have accused the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Balikis Lafiaji-Okuneye, of withholding several months of salary harmonisation arrears and other statutory entitlements, 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 contravene 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 approved a harmonised salary structure for all state-owned universities, granting a 25 per cent increment for junior academics and a 35 per cent increment for senior academics.
They explained that the salary harmonisation arrears initially covered 23 months, but the government later agreed to pay 12 months. Under the arrangement, universities were to pay three months from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), while the state government would cover the remaining nine months in three tranches.
The sources alleged that the Lagos State Government has released the nine months’ arrears to all affected institutions and that most universities have since paid their staff.
“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, amounting to six months, and withheld the remaining three months released by government. The management has also refused to pay the three months expected from IGR,” one source said.
Staff members further claimed that the university owes hazard and transportation allowances spanning 72 months, describing the issue as a long-standing welfare concern.
“Any attempt to raise the issue of hazard and transportation allowances is being shut down by the management,” another source alleged.
The lecturers also accused the management of discriminatory payment of end-of-year bonuses. While Lagos State reportedly pays 100 per cent of basic salary as end-of-year bonus to workers in its tertiary institutions, LASUED staff allegedly receive lower percentages.
“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,” a source stated.
Beyond welfare issues, the academic staff accused the Vice Chancellor of creating an atmosphere of intimidation within the university, alleging that union activities and dissent attract victimisation.
“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 claimed.
One of the allegations involves the withdrawal of the associate professorship earlier conferred on Dr. Zosu Segbenu, reportedly due to his active participation 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 alleged.
The aggrieved staff are now calling on the Lagos State Government, the LASUED Governing Council and relevant authorities to investigate the allegations, ensure payment of all outstanding arrears and allowances, and enforce accountability in the university’s administration.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to phone calls or a text message seeking her reaction to the allegations.
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