The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has declared an indefinite strike across three Lagos State owned universities.
The affected institutions are Lagos State University, LASU, Lagos State University of Education, LASUED, and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH.
The strike follows the expiration of a 14 day ultimatum the union gave the Lagos State Government.
It is over unresolved salary issues, retirement benefits and the delayed implementation of the 2025 FG/ASUU agreement.
The directive was contained in a statement by a Joint Campus Group led by Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator, Steering Committee, ASUU-LASU, Grace Abimbola, Acting Chairman, ASUU-LASUED, and Murisiku Onigemo, Chairman, ASUU-LASUSTECH.
The Joint Campus Group had issued the 14 day ultimatum on August 31 and extended it on September 10 to September 13.
According to the union, the state government allowed the deadline to expire without opening meaningful negotiations or presenting a concrete plan to resolve the dispute.
“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 read.
The union’s major demand is the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government across the state owned universities.
The agreement includes the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and welfare provisions covering both serving and retired academic staff.
ASUU said it is concerned about the impact of the strike on students, parents and the academic calendar, but maintained that continued inaction by the state government left it with no alternative.
The union urged students of the affected institutions to remain calm and law abiding, saying the action is aimed at securing sustainable improvements in the university system.
It also appealed to parents and guardians to understand its position, arguing that a stable and adequately funded tertiary education system is necessary for the future of students.
ASUU commended the administrations of the three universities for their efforts towards the domestication of the agreement, stressing that the strike is not directed at university managements.
The union called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support its demand for improved funding and working conditions.
ASUU said the strike has the backing of its national leadership, which supported the steps taken by the branches, including letters to university managements, governing councils and the Visitor, as well as the 14 day ultimatum.
The union accused the state government of failing to follow the example of other states whose governors had already moved to resolve similar issues in their universities.
It said the strike would remain in force until engagement produces a satisfactory resolution and the government signs, domesticates and fully implements the applicable provisions of the 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,” the union said.
At LASU specifically, the ASUU chapter’s notice, signed by Secretary of the Steering Committee, Comrade Thanny Nooem, and Coordinator, Comrade Oluwaseun Babalola, said the congress reached its decision at an emergency meeting held on Tuesday.
“The congress therefore declared a full, comprehensive and indefinite strike action effective today, 15th September, 2026,” the LASU chapter statement said.
ASUU-LASU said it had waited patiently and made several attempts to engage the government constructively but accused the authorities of prolonging the resolution of the issues.
“The Union waited patiently and made several attempts to constructively engage the government in good faith. However, the prolonged delay and lack of concrete action have left the Union with no option but to resort to industrial action,” it said.
“The strike shall be total, comprehensive and indefinite until all issues in dispute are completely resolved including signing, domestication and implementation of the ASUU FGN 2025 Agreement in full,” the union added.
The strike means academic activities across the three universities are expected to remain affected until the union’s demands are addressed.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
