The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a total and indefinite strike across the three Lagos State-owned universities over the alleged failure of the state government to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin; and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.
The decision was taken on Tuesday at separate branch congresses of the union following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31, 2026.
In a joint statement signed by ASUU-LASU Coordinator, Dr Olusegun Babalola; Acting ASUU-LASUED Coordinator, Comrade Grace Olayemi; and ASUU-LASUSTECH Coordinator, Comrade Murisiku Onigemo, the union said the strike took effect immediately.
The statement, titled “Expiration of Ultimatum: ASUU Declares Total, Indefinite Strike Across Lagos State-owned Universities,” said the decision followed the government’s failure to provide a satisfactory resolution or concrete plan before the expiration of the ultimatum.
The union said it issued a final warning on September 10, reiterating that “silence is no longer an option” and that continued inaction could no longer be sustained.
According to ASUU, the September 13 deadline also expired without the state government initiating dialogue with the union.
The union said its principal demand was the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement across the three state-owned universities.
It specifically mentioned the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and other welfare provisions for serving and retired academic staff.
ASUU said it had exercised restraint and consistently pursued dialogue before resorting to industrial action, arguing that the responsibility for the disruption rested with the state government.
The union also said the decision had the backing of its national leadership, which supported the steps taken by the branches, including formal communications to the university administrations, governing councils and the Visitor, as well as 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 statement said.
The union warned that the strike would remain in force until meaningful engagement produced a satisfactory resolution and the state government signed, domesticated and implemented the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement in full.
It, however, said it remained committed to constructive dialogue and would support the restoration of normal academic activities once the outstanding issues were resolved.
ASUU acknowledged the likely impact of the industrial action on the academic calendar and the wider university community, saying the decision was taken “with a heavy heart.”
It appealed to students, parents, university workers and other stakeholders to understand and support the union during the period, stressing that the action was not intended to be adversarial towards the management of the affected institutions.
Lagos State was among the 20 states recently identified by ASUU as having governors who had yet to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
