Lecturers in Lagos State’s three state-owned universities have commenced a total and indefinite strike following the state government’s failure to implement the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The industrial action was declared on Tuesday after separate congresses were held by the union at the Lagos State University, Ojo, the Lagos State University of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu.
The three branches had on August 31, 2026, jointly issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government, warning of an industrial action if the signed agreement was not implemented.
The ultimatum, contained in a statement titled “Expiration of ultimatum: ASUU Declares Total, Indefinite Strike Across Lagos State-owned Universities,” was signed by ASUU-LASU Coordinator, Dr. Olusegun Babalola, acting Chairperson of ASUU-LASUED, Comrade Grace Olayemi, and ASUU-LASUSTECH Chairperson, Comrade Murisiku Onigemo.
According to the statement, the unions declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike with immediate effect after the expiration of the ultimatum without any satisfactory resolution or concrete plan from the state government.
The union recalled that in a final warning issued on September 10, 2026, it had stated that silence was no longer an option and that continued inaction could not be sustained.
Despite that warning, the union stated that the government allowed the Sunday, September 13, 2026 deadline to lapse without initiating dialogue, the statement said.
The principal demand of the union remains the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement across the three institutions, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and critical welfare protections for both active and retired academic staff.
The one-page statement noted that ASUU had shown ultimate restraint and consistently advocated for constructive engagement, stressing that the responsibility for the disruption rests entirely on the Lagos State Government due to its continuous inaction and disregard for agreements that have been successfully implemented by neighbouring states.
The union explained that every step leading to the industrial action, from formal letters written to the university administrations, the Governing Councils and the Visitor, to the issuance of the 14-day ultimatum, had the full backing of the ASUU national leadership.
ASUU national, the statement said, fully expects the Lagos State Government to tow the line of other state governors who acted swiftly to resolve the matters to the absolute advantage of their respective universities and staff.
The union warned that the strike would remain in force and would not be suspended until meaningful engagement produces a satisfactory resolution and the state government signs, domesticates and implements the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement in full.
It added that it remains committed to constructive dialogue and to the swift restoration of normal academic activities as soon as the outstanding issues are addressed.
The union informed stakeholders of LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH that the action was taken with a heavy heart, fully conscious of its implications for the academic calendar and the wider university community.
It appealed to key stakeholders for their understanding, patience and support during the difficult period and assured the three university administrations that the decision was by no means an adversarial action against their offices.
