-
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a total and indefinite strike across all three universities owned by the Lagos State Government, throwing academic activities into immediate uncertainty over the state’s failure to implement key provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
-
The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin; and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, with the action taking effect immediately following separate branch congresses of the union on Tuesday.
-
ASUU said the strike became unavoidable after the Lagos State Government failed to satisfactorily respond to a 14-day ultimatum issued on August 31, 2026, despite a final warning on September 10 and the expiration of the September 13 deadline without a concrete resolution.
-
The union said the strike will continue until the Lagos government enters meaningful negotiations, signs and domesticates the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement and fully implements outstanding welfare measures, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for serving and retired academic staff.
September 15, (THEWILL) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a total and indefinite strike across the three universities owned by the Lagos State Government over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin; and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.
The industrial action took effect immediately on Tuesday following separate branch congresses of the union, where members resolved to withdraw their services after the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government.
The decision represents a major escalation of the dispute between the union and the state government and is expected to disrupt lectures, examinations, research and other academic activities across the three institutions.
In a joint statement signed by the ASUU-LASU Coordinator, Dr Olusegun Babalola; Acting ASUU-LASUED Coordinator, Comrade Grace Olayemi; and ASUU-LASUSTECH Coordinator, Comrade Murisiku Onigemo, the union said the action followed the failure of the government to satisfactorily address its demands.
According to ASUU, it issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government on August 31, 2026, demanding action on the implementation of the 2025 agreement.
The union said the ultimatum expired without what it considered a satisfactory response or a concrete plan from the government. It added that it issued another final warning on September 10, reminding the government that continued silence and inaction would no longer be tolerated.
However, ASUU said the September 13 deadline also passed without a resolution, leaving the union with no option but to commence the indefinite strike.
“This extreme decision follows the total expiration of the communicated deadline without a satisfactory resolution or concrete plan from the Lagos State Government,” the union said.
ASUU added that its final warning had explicitly stated that “silence is no longer an option” and that the continued failure to act could no longer be sustained.
READ ALSO:
What ASUU Wants
At the centre of the dispute is ASUU’s demand for the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the union in Lagos State-owned universities.
The union said the agreement contains provisions affecting the welfare and working conditions of academic staff, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and other critical welfare provisions for serving and retired lecturers.
ASUU argued that state-owned universities should not be excluded from the implementation of provisions arising from the agreement simply because they are under the control and funding arrangements of state governments.
The union accused the Lagos State Government of failing to act despite repeated efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue.
According to ASUU, its decision to embark on the strike was not sudden but followed a series of engagements and warnings aimed at securing an agreement without disrupting academic activities.
It blamed the impending disruption on what it described as the government’s “continuous inaction and disregard for agreements successfully implemented by neighbouring states.”
The union also disclosed that its national leadership had backed the process leading to the industrial action.
It said the national body supported the submission of formal letters to the managements and governing councils of the affected universities, as well as the issuance of the 14-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government.
ASUU said its national leadership expected the Lagos State Government to follow the example of governors who had moved swiftly to resolve similar issues in their respective states.
“ASUU national fully expects that the Lagos State Government will tow the line of other state governors who acted swiftly to resolve these matters to the absolute advantage of their respective universities and staff”, the union said.
The union warned that the strike would remain in force until the outstanding issues were resolved.
It specifically said the Lagos State Government must enter into meaningful engagement with ASUU, sign and domesticate the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement and fully implement them.
ASUU acknowledged the possible impact of the action on the academic calendar and the wider university community.
It said the decision was taken “with a heavy heart”, stressing that the union did not intend the industrial action to be interpreted as an attack on the administrations of the three universities.
The union appealed to students, parents, university managements and other stakeholders to show understanding, patience and support.
“The union remains entirely committed to constructive dialogue and to the swift restoration of normal academic activities as soon as these outstanding issues are addressed”, ASUU said.
The Lagos dispute is part of a wider national disagreement over the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. ASUU has identified Lagos as one of 20 states where governors have yet to implement the agreement.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
