Kunle Adelabu
Following the expiration of 14 -day issued to the Lagos State Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Joint Campus Group, on Tuesday, declared an indefinite strike in protest against the non-implementation of the 2025 FG/ASUU signed agreement.
The strike described by the union as “a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action”, is effective immediately.
ASUU in the three state owned institutions – Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, announced the decision to embark on the comprehensive strike in a statement signed by Comrade Olusegun Oluwaseun Babalola, Coordinator, Steering Committee, ASUU-LASU; Comrade Grace Olayemi Abimbola, Ag. Chairman, ASUU-LASUED and Comrade Murisiku Adegbemi Onigemo, Chairman, ASUU-LASUSTECH.
The striking unionists, who said that they had issued final warning a few days ago, said that they had to resort to the indefinite strike action, because the Lagos State Government failed to give satisfactory response over their demand for full domestication and implementation of the December 2025.
”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. Despite this, the state government allowed the Sunday, 13 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.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Joint Campus Group, has appealed to stakeholders who will be affected by the strike to understand their plights and show solidarity.
”The Union takes this measure with a heavy heart, fully conscious of its implications for the academic calendar and the wider university community. We passionately appeal to our key stakeholders for their maximum understanding, patience, and support during this difficult period:
“To Our dear students, this fight is fundamentally about preserving the quality and sustainability of your education. A demoralised faculty cannot provide the world-class standard of learning you deserve. We urge you to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as we push for a permanent resolution.
“To Our Esteemed Parents and Guardians, we deeply share your anxieties regarding delays in your children’s educational journeys. However, our patience has been tested and toyed with over the last eight months. Securing a stable, well-funded tertiary education system today guarantees a better future for your children tomorrow.
“To Our Universities Administrations, we understand your unique predicament and empathize with the challenges you face. This decision is by no means an adversarial action against your office. It is a strategic effort to empower you to superintend over a happy, motivated staff and ensure the smooth running of our universities. Furthermore, the Union highly commends the Administrations’ tireless efforts and commitment towards ensuring the successful domestication of this agreement.
The unionists also added: “To the Public, Royal Fathers, and Other Stakeholders, we call on traditional institutions, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society organisations, and all well-meaning Lagosians to see this as a rescue mission for Lagos State education and lend their voices to this call”.
While stating that the blame for the strike action is squarely on the LASG, ASUU in the three state universities also stated that the National body of the union is in full support of the indefinite action.
”ASUU has shown ultimate restraint and consistently advocated for constructive engagement. 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.
“It is important to state that the entire process leading to this declaration carries the full backing of the ASUU National leadership. 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 strike action shall remain in force and will not be suspended until meaningful engagement produces a satisfactory resolution, and the Lagos State Government signs, domesticates, 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”, the statement stated.
