The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared an indefinite strike at three universities owned by the Lagos State Government over the failure to address its demands.
Sponsored Ads
The affected institutions are the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
Sponsored Ads
The ASUU Joint Campus Group covering the three institutions announced the industrial action after a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31 expired without an agreement.
The union said a final warning issued on September 10 also failed to produce meaningful talks, while the September 13 deadline passed without dialogue between both sides.
ASUU is demanding the domestication and implementation of applicable provisions of the December 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government in the three Lagos universities.
Among the issues raised by the union are the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and welfare provisions for serving and retired academic staff.
The union said it took the decision reluctantly because of the possible disruption to the academic calendar and its effect on students, parents, university staff and other members of the university community.
ASUU appealed to students to remain calm and law-abiding while efforts to resolve the dispute continue. It also acknowledged the concerns of parents and guardians over possible interruptions to their children’s education.
The union stated that the strike was not targeted at the management of the affected universities, noting that the institutions had made efforts towards implementing the agreement.
It called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to support its demands and encourage the state government to engage with the union.
RELATED STORIES
Related Posts
ASUU said it had repeatedly sought dialogue with the Lagos State Government after exercising restraint over the unresolved issues. It also claimed that some neighbouring states had already taken steps to implement similar provisions.
The union added that its national leadership supported the industrial action and the process that led to the declaration of the strike.
According to ASUU, the strike will remain in place until the Lagos State Government opens negotiations with the union and signs, domesticates and fully implements the relevant provisions of the 2025 agreement.
The Lagos action comes amid a wider dispute between ASUU and governments over the implementation of the December 2025 agreement. The union had recently threatened nationwide industrial action over unpaid salaries and other outstanding issues, particularly concerning state-owned universities.
The latest development adds to the long-running challenges facing Nigeria’s public university system, where strikes have repeatedly disrupted academic calendars.
Although nationwide disruptions have reduced following the 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government, individual universities and state governments continue to face disputes over funding, staff welfare and implementation of agreements.
The December 2025 agreement followed the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the union and the Federal Government. The new deal provided for a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, the establishment of a National Research Council with statutory funding of at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, and improved pension arrangements for professors.
It also included commitments relating to university autonomy, academic freedom, research funding, libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development.
The agreement was reached after a sixth renegotiation committee, inaugurated in October 2025, completed the harmonisation of discussions between the government and university unions.
However, local disputes have continued in some state-owned universities. Three universities in Ondo State — Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH), and University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) — have also experienced ASUU strike action in recent weeks.
Public universities have also continued to face staff shortages and brain drain, with many academics leaving Nigeria for opportunities abroad amid concerns over remuneration, working conditions, research opportunities and broader challenges within the university system.
Comments are closed.