Academic activities have come to a sudden halt across three Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions following an indefinite strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities Joint Campus Group. The industrial action affects Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education, and Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
The declaration was issued on Tuesday in a joint statement signed by Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator of the Steering Committee for ASUU-LASU; Grace Abimbola, Acting Chairman of ASUU-LASUED; and Murisiku Onigemo, Chairman of ASUU-LASUSTECH.
The decision follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum served to the Lagos State Government on August 31, 2026. According to the union, state authorities allowed the September 13 deadline to pass without initiating any dialogue, despite a final warning issued on September 10.
At the heart of the dispute is the union’s demand for the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement across all state-owned institutions. Additional demands include the implementation of consolidated academic tools allowances and improved welfare provisions for active and retired faculty members.
“Following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on 31 August 2026, the Academic Staff Union of Universities Joint Campus Group—comprising Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education, and Lagos State University of Science and Technology—hereby declares a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action effective immediately,” the statement reads.
The union stressed that the shutdown will “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”.
Despite the shutdown, leadership expressed readiness for negotiations to resolve the impasse quickly.
“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.
Union officials urged students and parents to remain calm and law-abiding, characterizing the strike as a rescue mission for Lagos State education backed by ASUU’s national leadership. The group also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni, and civil society organizations to intervene.
This widespread shutdown follows recent friction at LASUSTECH, where lecturers protested salary delays in August. While faculty accused management of withholding pay without justification, university administrators attributed those specific delays to earlier industrial action by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities.
