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By Gabriel Dike
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the three Lagos State owned-universities on Tuesday declared an indefinite strike in protest against the non-implementation of the 2025 FG/ASUU signed agreement.
The decisions by ASUU Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, to embark on the comprehensive strike was taken on Tuesday at separate branch congresses.
Three unions had in a joint statement in August 31st, 2026, issued the state government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the signed agreement or face an industrial action.
The statement signed by ASUU-LASU, Coordinator, Dr. Olusegun Babalola, acting ASUU-LASUED, Comrade Grace Olayemi and ASUU-LASUSTECH, Comrade Murisiku Onigemo is titled “Expiration of ultimatum: ASUU Declares Total, Indefinite Strike Across Lagos State-owned Universities”, said the strike is with immediate effect.
It reads: “Following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on 31 August 2026, ASUU Joint Campus Group—comprising Lagos State ASUU-LASU, ASUU-LASUED), and ASUU-LASUSTECH), hereby declares a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action effective immediately.
“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.”
According to the union, despite the warning letter, the state government allowed the Sunday, 13th, September 2026 deadline to lapse without initiating dialogue.
“The union’s principal demand remains the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement across all Lagos State-owned universities. This includes the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and critical welfare protections for both active and retired academic staff,” ASUU stated.
The one-page statement added that ASUU has shown ultimate restraint and consistently advocated for constructive engagement, noting “the responsibility for this painful disruption rests entirely on the Lagos State Government due to its continuous inaction and disregard for agreements successfully implemented by neighbouring states.”
The union explained that the entire process leading to the industrial action had the full backing of the ASUU national leadership.
It further noted: “This unwavering support covers every strategic step taken by the branch, beginning with formal letters written to the university administrations, the Governing Councils, and the Visitor, through to the issuance of the 14-day ultimatum.
“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 warned that the strike would remain in force and will not be suspended until meaningful engagement produces
a satisfactory resolution, and the state government signs, domesticate, and implements the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement in full.
“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 added.
The union informed LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH stakeholders that the action was taken with a heavy heart, fully conscious of its implications for the academic calendar and the wider university community.
It passionately appealed to the key stakeholders for their understanding, patience, and support during this difficult period and assured their three university administrations that the decision is by no means an adversarial action against their office.
Lagos was among 20 states listed by ASUU national whose state governors failed to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU signed agreement.
