Academic activities across Lagos State’s three public Universities have been grounded as lecturers launched an indefinite strike, escalating a widening dispute over unpaid allowances and the stalled implementation of a landmark 2025 pay agreement.
The Lagos State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-LASU) announced the total and comprehensive walkout following an emergency congress on September 15, 2026.
In a statement co-signed by Steering Committee Secretary, Comrade Thanny Nooem and Coordinator Comrade Oluwaseun Babalola, the union said the action came after months of “patient and constructive engagement” with government authorities failed to resolve core grievances.
“This unfortunate and avoidable action has become necessary due to the continued failure of the Government to address the Union’s longstanding agitation over the implementation of the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement,” the statement said.
The union vowed the strike would remain in force “until all issues in dispute are completely resolved including signing, domestication and implementation of the ASUU/FGN 2025 Agreement in full.
At the heart of the dispute is the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government, which includes the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and welfare protections for both serving and retired academic staff.
ASUU-LASU has insisted that the only “firm and unambiguous pathway” to ending the industrial action is the Lagos State Government’s commitment to sign, domesticate and immediately implement applicable provisions of the agreement across all state-owned universities.
The strike follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued by the union’s congresses—approved by ASUU’s National Executive Council on August 31—demanding compliance with the 2025 accord.
The industrial action affects teaching and other academic activities at Lagos State University’s main Ojo campus and its satellite campuses, as well as at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
The union expressed regret over the development, noting that previous efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue had not produced the desired outcome.
The walkout in Lagos mirrors broader tensions between ASUU and multiple state governments over the 2025 accord, with similar disputes reported in Taraba and Ondo states.
At the national level, ASUU has warned it could reactivate its suspended strike over what it describes as “non- or haphazard implementation” of the agreement and withholding of lecturers’ salaries.
The union noted with its customary rallying chant that “Aluta continua, victoria ascerta” meaning the struggle continues, victory is certain.
