The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced an indefinite strike across three universities owned by the Lagos State Government, following the alleged failure of the state government to address the union’s outstanding demands.
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 covering the three institutions announced the industrial action on Tuesday after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31.
According to the union, the ultimatum expired without an agreement being reached with the government.
ASUU said a further warning issued on September 10 also failed to produce negotiations, while its final deadline of September 13 passed without any dialogue with the state government.
At the centre of the dispute is ASUU’s demand for the domestication and implementation across the three Lagos State-owned universities of relevant provisions contained in the December 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government.
Among the specific demands are the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and welfare-related provisions covering serving and retired academic staff.
The union said it took the decision to strike “with a heavy heart”, acknowledging that the action could disrupt the academic calendar and affect students, parents, university managements and other members of the university community.
It urged students to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while efforts to resolve the dispute continue.
ASUU also acknowledged concerns among parents and guardians who may be worried about another disruption to their children’s education.
The union stressed that the strike was not targeted at the management of the three universities, commending the institutions for what it described as their efforts towards domesticating the agreement.
ASUU called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene and help facilitate a resolution between the union and the Lagos State Government.
The union said it had exercised considerable restraint and made repeated attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue before resorting to industrial action.
However, it accused the Lagos State Government of failing to take action on the outstanding demands, noting that neighbouring states had already implemented similar agreements.
ASUU also disclosed that its national leadership had endorsed the industrial action and supported the steps that led to the commencement of the strike.
The union said the strike would remain in force until the Lagos State Government engages with ASUU 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 means academic activities at LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH are expected to be affected indefinitely unless the dispute is resolved between the union and the state government.
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