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By Gabriel Dike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for the unconditional recall of sacked union leaders of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, and others victimised members in some institutions.
The call was made by Lagos ASUU Zone at a briefing held in LASU to mark ASUU Day of Solidarity with Victimised members in certain universities.
In a statement signed by Lagos ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Adesola Nassir, said the union again brings to fore the matter of its members across the country victimized by the university administration not for any proven infraction but for choosing to stand by the demands of their calling as academics and the principles of the union.
He added: “For this reason, our union declared 10th of September as the day of solidarity with our members. As we mark Victimized Lecturers Day today, we stand in solemn solidarity with all academic staff that have suffered, and continue to suffer unjust treatment in the course of defending the dignity of the university system.
“This day is not merely symbolic, it is a call to conscience, a demand for accountability, and a tribute to the unwavering courage of those who have paid the price for speaking truth to power.
“Among the many stories of resilience and injustice, the case of the five officials of our union at LASU (ASUU-LASU 5) who were dismissed from their posts under questionable circumstances stands out.”
Nassir continued:” Despite the tireless service of these individuals to the university and its community, the LASU authorities have continued to subject them to hardship occasioned by their unjust dismissal. We also equally remember the matter of our members victimized at Price Abubakar Audu University (formerly Kogi State University) and Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
“We recall that between 2017 and 2019, five members of our union leadership were dismissed at LASU following their vocal opposition to administrative irregularities and their advocacy for staff welfare. Their dismissal was not only procedurally flawed, but also morally indefensible.
“These individuals were targeted not for wrongdoing, but for daring to challenge a system that had grown increasingly opaque and unaccountable.”
According to him, in its early days, the current university administration under Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji- Bello took commendable steps to revisit their cases.
Nassir recalled that an independent investigative panel was constituted and its findings were unequivocal, “the dismissed officials had committed no offense warranting termination”
The zonal coordinator said the panel recommended their immediate reinstatement and also went further to admonish the university to review its policy on labour relations.
He stated: “In a rare moment of institutional integrity, the Governing Council of the university accepted the panels recommendations and formally recalled the five officials. Yet, shockingly, they remain barred from resuming their duties to this day. The excuses for the delay have been many and superfluous.”
Nassir disclosed that the continued exclusion of the ASUU-LASU five, despite their exoneration and recall, raises troubling questions about the rule of law within LASU.
He further stated that recently, the affected union leaders, voluntarily and without any admittance of guilt, offered a pathway for the resolution of the issues.
“We have been reliably informed that the Governing Council at its last meeting on July 3rd, 2025, directed the university administration to meet with them, and get the proposed terms accepted by the court as consent judgement.
“It is important therefore to ask the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, why this directive of the governing council has not been implemented, more than two months after.
“We also received reports that the terminations of some of these victimized colleagues are to be converted to retirement. Without doubt, these decisions are just shying away from accepting the truth and doing what is right.
“These developments are antithetical to the spirits and letters of academic and intellectual engagement and constitute an indelible stain on LASUs reputation,” Nassir argued.
The zone urged LASU management to, without delay, reinstates the five dismissed union officials to their rightful positions following the directive of the governing council.
The union reminded VCs and university administrators, who are the primary beneficiaries of the struggles of ASUU that their silence and bureaucratic subterfuge, would continue to indict them in and out of office.
Nassir added: “The union remains committed to the pursuance of this issue to a reasonable and satisfactory conclusion, sooner than later.”
Other branches of the zone in attendance include Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU); University of Lagos (UNILAG); Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH); Lagos State University of Education (LASUED); Tai Solarin University of Education (TASFUED) and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). The branches acknowledged the ASUU-LASU members’ support for the struggle and urged them to remain committed and resolute with the assurances that they will not be left to weather the storm alone.
Also in attendance were the former National Treasurer, Prof. Sowande Olusiji and some former branch chairmen.
