University of Lagos entrance. Photo: UNILAG
The University of Lagos management has cited Federal Government regulations and university policies governing payroll enrolment and conditions of service in the ongoing dispute with staff of its International School over their reported removal from the university’s payroll and outstanding entitlements.
The PUNCH had on Wednesday reported that teaching and a mid-term examination were disrupted as staff of the ISL protested the alleged removal of their names from the university’s payroll and the failure to implement a court judgment in their favour.
The protesting workers had held that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria on May 11, 2026, ruled in their favour that their names be restored to the payroll.
The workers argued that the removal from the university’s main payroll also deprived them of receiving some allowances, including outstanding components of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Allowance.
Addressing the agitation, the UNILAG spokesperson, Adejoke Alaga-Ibrahim, in a statement to The PUNCH, on Thursday, said management had been engaging the affected workers on their payroll status and entitlements.
It read, “The Management of the University of Lagos has, for a while, been engaging staff of the International School, University of Lagos on issues relating to their payroll status and entitlements, as staff welfare remains one of its priorities.
“However, it is important to note that matters relating to payroll enrolment and conditions of service are governed by applicable Federal Government regulations and established University policies guiding the operations of the International School.”
The statement added that relevant stakeholders were being engaged to clarify the issues and ensure compliance with applicable government directives and university regulations.
The statement added, “While management is giving the concerns raised the necessary administrative attention through appropriate channels, relevant stakeholders are also being engaged to clarify the issues and ensure compliance with applicable government directives and university regulations.
“The university appreciates the concerns of the affected staff and assures all stakeholders of its commitment to addressing the issues in line with applicable regulations and established procedures,” the statement further read.
The protesting workers had on Wednesday gathered at the school’s main gate, chanting solidarity songs and demanding the restoration of their names to the payroll and payment of outstanding allowances and other benefits.
The workers carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Equal Work, Equal Rights”; “ISL Tutors Deserve Their Due”; “Other UNILAG Staff Paid, ISL Tutors Still Owed”; and “Same University, Same Commitment, Same Rights.”
While teaching was disrupted on Wednesday, there was little activity at the school on Thursday as the students embarked on mid-term break.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the UNILAG management has received a position paper by the ISL workers to drive home their demands.
The paper details a similar judgment in favour of the University of Abuja school with the argument that the UniAbuja had begun implementation by ensuring all its school workers are accommodated on the university payroll.
It was gathered that the management would make a presentation to the university council on the matter.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, UNILAG chapter, Dr Ademola Yusuf, said the union awaited an invitation for further engagement with the university management.