The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a total and indefinite strike across the three Lagos State-owned universities following what it described as the failure of the Lagos State Government to implement the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government and the union.
The industrial action affects Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
The decision was reached on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during separate congress meetings held by the ASUU branches at the three institutions.
Why ASUU Declared the Strike
The union said the action became necessary after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31, 2026.
The ultimatum demanded the domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement within Lagos State-owned universities.
According to the union, the deadline passed without a satisfactory resolution or a concrete commitment from the state government to address the outstanding matters.
ASUU also disclosed that it issued a final warning on September 10, 2026, indicating that it could no longer continue waiting without meaningful engagement. The union said the subsequent September 13 deadline also elapsed without the government initiating dialogue.
Strike Takes Immediate Effect
In a joint statement titled “Expiration of Ultimatum: ASUU Declares Total, Indefinite Strike Across Lagos State-owned Universities,” the union announced that the industrial action would commence immediately.
The statement was signed by Dr. Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator of ASUU-LASU; Comrade Grace Olayemi, Acting Coordinator of ASUU-LASUED; and Comrade Murisiku Onigemo, Coordinator of ASUU-LASUSTECH.
The development means that academic activities at the three affected Lagos State-owned universities are subject to the indefinite industrial action until the issues raised by the union are resolved.
ASUU Lists Major Outstanding Demands
A key issue in the dispute is ASUU's demand for the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement across Lagos State-owned universities.
The union specifically mentioned the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) as well as critical welfare provisions affecting both serving and retired academic staff.
ASUU maintained that these provisions form part of the matters requiring action by the state government.
Union Says It Pursued Dialogue Before Strike
The lecturers' union said it had exercised restraint and repeatedly sought dialogue before resorting to industrial action.
It attributed responsibility for the disruption to what it described as continued inaction by the Lagos State Government after the deadlines contained in its communications had passed.
ASUU further stated that the strike received the backing of its national leadership. It said this followed a series of engagements and formal communications involving the relevant university managements, governing councils and the Visitor before the ultimatum was issued.
Strike Not Directed at University Managements
The union clarified that the action is not targeted at the managements of LASU, LASUED or LASUSTECH.
Instead, ASUU said the objective is to put pressure on the Lagos State Government to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the implementation of the 2025 agreement.
The union also called on the state government to emulate other governors who, according to ASUU, have acted quickly to resolve similar matters affecting universities under their respective states.
When Will the Strike End?
ASUU stated that the industrial action will remain in force indefinitely.
According to the union, ending the strike will depend on meaningful engagement that produces a satisfactory resolution, followed by the signing, domestication and full implementation of the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement by the Lagos State Government.
No specific end date was provided in the statement.
ASUU Appeals to Students and Parents
The union acknowledged that the strike could affect the academic calendar and the wider university community.
It consequently appealed to students, parents and other stakeholders to understand and support its position during the dispute.
For students of LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH, the development is therefore an important update as the union and the state government remain at odds over the implementation of the outstanding agreement.
Lagos Among States Yet to Implement 2025 Agreement
ASUU also stated that Lagos State is one of the 20 states identified by its national leadership as yet to implement the 2025 Federal Government and ASUU agreement.
The union's position is that full implementation in the affected state-owned universities remains necessary before the current dispute can be resolved.
Conclusion
The indefinite ASUU strike has now been declared across LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH following the expiration of the union's deadlines without a satisfactory resolution. The action is expected to remain in place until meaningful discussions lead to an agreement and the Lagos State Government takes the implementation steps demanded by the union.
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