Indefinite Strike Hits Three Lagos Universities as ASUU, State Govt Disagree

Academic activities have been disrupted at three universities owned by the Lagos State Government following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH). The ASUU Joint Campus Group representing the three universities announced the industrial action in a statement on Tuesday, after the Lagos State Government failed to reach an agreement with the union on a number of outstanding demands. The strike followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government by the union on August 31. According to ASUU, the ultimatum was intended to provide an opportunity for the government to address the issues raised by the union and commence meaningful negotiations. However, the union said the deadline passed without an agreement. It added that a final warning issued on September 10 also failed to produce negotiations, while the September 13 deadline elapsed without any dialogue between the two sides. What ASUU is demanding At the centre of the dispute is the union’s demand for the domestication and implementation across the three Lagos State-owned universities of relevant provisions contained in the agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government in December 2025. Among the issues being demanded is the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), as well as welfare provisions affecting both serving and retired academic staff. ASUU said it had repeatedly sought to resolve the issues through dialogue but claimed that its efforts had not yielded the desired outcome. The union also pointed to developments in neighbouring states, saying similar agreements had already been implemented elsewhere. ‘With a heavy heart’ The union said it reached the decision to embark on the strike “with a heavy heart”, recognising that the action could have consequences for students, parents, university workers and other members of the academic community. It appealed to students to remain calm and law-abiding during the dispute, while assuring stakeholders that it remained committed to resolving the disagreement. ASUU also acknowledged the concerns of parents and guardians who could be affected by a disruption to the academic calendar. The union, however, stressed that the strike was not directed at the managements of the three universities. Rather, it commended the managements for what it described as their efforts towards domesticating the December 2025 agreement. Calls for intervention As the industrial action takes effect, ASUU called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene and help bring the dispute to an end. The union said it had exercised considerable restraint before resorting to industrial action and had made repeated attempts to engage the Lagos State Government through dialogue. It nevertheless accused the government of failing to act on the outstanding issues. The union also disclosed that its national leadership had endorsed the industrial action and supported the measures that eventually led to the declaration of the strike. Strike to continue until agreement is implemented ASUU said the industrial action would remain in force until the Lagos State Government engages with the union and signs, domesticates and fully implements the relevant provisions of the December 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,” ASUU said. The development is expected to affect lectures, examinations and other academic activities across LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH until an agreement is reached between the union and the Lagos State Government.