Academic Staff Union of Universities, Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo branch yesterday declared a total and indefinite strike over what it described as failure of the state government to meet its three core demands.

At a briefing, ASUU Chairman, Dr. Idris Adekunle, said having exhausted one year of dialogue and consultations with relevant stakeholders without headway, the union decided to call out its members on a total, comprehensive and indefinite industrial action.

Idris, flanked by other executives of ASUU, said the three core issues to be addressed before members could return to work were the reversal of the high LASU tuition regime from N348,750 to a maximum N50,000 across board; repeal of the no vacancy, no promotion policy of the institution’s administration and the implementation of the universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012, which would see academic staff in the professorial cadre retire at age 70 instead of 65, in the university.

According to him, “The union met at different times with the university administration, the governing council, the Pro-Chancellor, the Chancellor, the Ad-hoc committee on the LASU crisis, the Parents’ Forum, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, Oba Babatunde Akran of Badagry, and Oba Jubrilu Rufai, the Olojo of Ojo, among other eminent personalities in the state, without resolving the core issues at stake.”

“The union this year declared a trade dispute with an initial 21-day ultimatum effective from March 24 which expired April 13 and another 14-day ultimatum which expired April 29.”

News Express reports that LASU students have also rejected the fee hike, telling Governor Babatunde Fashola that they will ground the economy of the state if the fees are not reduced to the range they want.

•Partly based on a Vanguard report. Photo shows ASUU-LASU Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris.