Academic staff at all three Lagos State-owned universities have withdrawn their services indefinitely, citing the state government’s failure to implement the 2025 agreement signed with the Federal Government.
The action affects Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo; Lagos State University of Education, LASUED, Oto/Ijanikin; and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH, Ikorodu. Separate branch congresses held on Tuesday led to the decision.
The three ASUU chapters had earlier written to the government. On August 31, 2026, they issued a 14-day ultimatum. When that lapsed without action, a final warning followed on September 10, 2026. The September 13 deadline also passed without dialogue, the unions said.
In a joint statement signed by ASUU-LASU Coordinator, Dr. Olusegun Babalola, acting ASUU-LASUED, Comrade Grace Olayemi, and ASUU-LASUSTECH, Comrade Murisiku Onigemo, the unions announced the walkout.
“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.”
The unions said the core issue for workers is the full domestication of the December 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement in Lagos-owned institutions. That includes the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, and welfare provisions for both serving and retired lecturers.
“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 statement, lecturers had preferred engagement over confrontation. The unions said the delay is responsible for the disruption.
“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 statement noted that the national leadership of ASUU backed every step, from letters to university administrations, governing councils and the Visitor, to the 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 unions said the strike will continue until the state government signs, domesticates and implements the relevant parts of the 2025 agreement.
“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.”
They added that the action was taken with a heavy heart and appealed to students, parents and other stakeholders for patience and support, stressing that the move is not against university managements.
Lagos is listed among 20 states that ASUU national says have not implemented the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement.
