ASUU Grounds Lagos Universities, Declares Indefinite Strike
The Lagos State Government-owned universities have been shut down indefinitely following a strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Joint Campus Group.
The action affects Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
ASUU announced the industrial action on Tuesday.
According to the union, the Lagos State Government failed to respond satisfactorily to the issues raised in a 14-day ultimatum issued on August 31, 2026.
The deadline expired on September 13 without what the union described as meaningful engagement or a clear resolution plan.
The declaration was signed by the Coordinator of ASUU-LASU, Olusegun Babalola; Acting Chairman of ASUU-LASUED, Grace Abimbola; and Chairman of ASUU-LASUSTECH, Murisiku Onigemo.
According to the union, the government did not open substantive discussions before the ultimatum elapsed. The lecturers had issued a further warning on September 10, stating that “silence is no longer an option” if their demands remained unaddressed.
At the centre of the dispute is ASUU’s demand for the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement in all universities owned by the Lagos State Government.
The union said the agreement included the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and other welfare provisions for serving and retired academic staff.
“Following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on 31 August 2026, the Academic Staff Union of Universities Joint Campus Group—comprising Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education, and Lagos State University of Science and Technology—hereby declares a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action effective immediately,” the statement read.
ASUU said the strike would remain in force until the state government entered into meaningful negotiations and satisfactorily resolved the outstanding issues. It also demanded that the government sign, domesticate and implement the relevant provisions of the 2025 agreement before the action could be suspended.
“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,” it said.
The lecturers appealed to students and parents to remain calm and law-abiding, saying the decision to strike was taken “with a heavy heart.” They described the action as a “rescue mission for Lagos State education,” insisting that the demands were intended to safeguard staff welfare and strengthen the university system.
The Lagos branches also said the strike had received the support of ASUU’s national leadership. Before issuing the ultimatum, the national body reportedly backed engagements with university managements, governing councils and the Visitors of the affected institutions.
The union maintained that it had exhausted available avenues for dialogue before resorting to industrial action.
The dispute is linked to broader disagreements in Nigeria’s public university sector over the implementation of the December 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government. ASUU’s national leadership has previously warned that it could revive a suspended nationwide strike over unresolved matters involving salaries, deductions, welfare and the agreement’s implementation.
The national union has also complained about unpaid salaries withheld during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. It said lecturers were still owed three-and-a-half months from the seven-and-a-half months withheld.
In addition, ASUU alleged that deductions for pension contributions, cooperative societies and union dues had not been fully remitted in some instances. It warned that continued non-compliance by federal and state governments could lead to an “industrial crisis of monumental proportions.”
The Lagos branches called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to assist in resolving the dispute.
