By: Manoah Kikekon
Academic activities across three major state-owned universities in Lagos have officially ground to a halt. On Tuesday, the local chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared a total and indefinite strike, citing the state government’s continuous failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The decision to embark on this comprehensive industrial action was finalized during separate branch congresses held at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin; and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.
The strike follows months of mounting tension. On August 31, 2026, the union's Joint Campus Group issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government, demanding swift action. After a final warning on September 10, the deadline officially lapsed on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with no dialogue initiated by the government.
In a joint statement titled “Expiration of ultimatum: ASUU Declares Total, Indefinite Strike Across Lagos State-owned Universities,” union leaders Dr. Olusegun Babalola (ASUU-LASU), Comrade Grace Olayemi (ASUU-LASUED), and Comrade Murisiku Onigemo (ASUU-LASUSTECH) announced the immediate shutdown of the institutions.
“Following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on 31 August 2026, ASUU Joint Campus Group... hereby declares a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action effective immediately,” the union leaders stated.
They further expressed frustration over the administration's unresponsiveness: “This extreme decision follows the total expiration of the communicated deadline without a satisfactory resolution or concrete plan from the Lagos State Government. In a final warning issued on 10 September 2026, the union explicitly reiterated that ‘silence is no longer an option’ and continued inaction could no longer be sustained.”
At the heart of the crisis is the demand for the full domestication of the December 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement. The union is specifically pressing for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) alongside essential welfare guarantees for both active and retired academic personnel.
The local chapters noted that their actions carry the full endorsement of the ASUU national leadership, which has closely monitored the strategic steps leading to the strike.
“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 statement read.
Currently, Lagos ranks among 20 states nationwide flagged by the ASUU national body for failing to honor the 2025 FGN/ASUU resolutions.
While pointing out that the responsibility for the academic disruption rests entirely on the Lagos State Government, ASUU assured university management that the strike is not a direct attack on their administrative offices.
Appealing to students, parents, and the broader university community for patience, the union emphasized its reluctance to disrupt the academic calendar.
“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.”
The joint union has vowed that campus gates will remain closed until the Lagos State Government signs, domesticates, and fully implements the 2025 agreement.