By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared a total and indefinite strike across three Lagos State-owned universities following a dispute over the implementation of its agreement with the Federal Government.
The ASUU Joint Campus Group covering Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education and Lagos State University of Science and Technology announced the industrial action in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The union said the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31 without what it considered a satisfactory response or concrete plan to address its demands.
According to ASUU, its final warning on September 10 had indicated that “silence is no longer an option”, but the September 13 deadline passed without meaningful engagement from the state government.
The union said the strike would take effect immediately and remain in force indefinitely.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Joint Campus Group comprising Lagos State University (ASUU-LASU), Lagos State University of Education (ASUU-LASUED), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (ASUU-LASUSTECH) hereby declares a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action effective immediately,” it said.
At the centre of the dispute is ASUU’s demand for the full domestication and implementation of provisions contained in the December 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government across the three Lagos State-owned institutions.
The union specifically mentioned the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and welfare protections for serving and retired academic staff among the provisions it wants implemented.
ASUU said it took the decision reluctantly because of the likely consequences for the academic calendar and students.
“This fight is fundamentally about preserving the quality and sustainability of your education,” the union told students, arguing that poorly motivated academic staff could not deliver the standard of education expected by students.
The union appealed to students to remain calm and law-abiding during the dispute, while urging parents and guardians to understand its position.
It said its patience had been tested over the past eight months, while acknowledging concerns over possible delays to students’ academic programmes.
ASUU also appealed to the administrations of the three universities, saying the strike was not directed against their managements.
The union commended the institutions for efforts towards implementing the agreement and said the action was intended to strengthen their ability to maintain a motivated workforce.
It also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society groups and other stakeholders in Lagos to support its demand.
ASUU accused the Lagos State Government of failing to act on agreements that, according to the union, had already been implemented by some neighbouring states.
The union said the strike had the backing of its national leadership, which it said had supported the process from the initial correspondence to university authorities, governing councils and the Visitor.
ASUU said the industrial action would continue until meaningful engagement produced a satisfactory resolution and the Lagos State Government signed, domesticated and fully implemented the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement.
It, however, said it remained open to dialogue and would restore normal academic activities once the outstanding issues were resolved.
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