ASUU threatens shutdown of Lagos State-owned universities

Three universities owned by the Lagos State Government may face another wave of industrial unrest as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Lagos Zone, threatens shutdown over state government’s failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement.

The union issued the warning during a press conference on Thursday at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH, accusing the state government of neglecting lecturers’ welfare despite months of discussions and engagements.

The affected institutions are Lagos State University, LASU, Lagos State University of Education, LASUED, and LASUSTECH.

ASUU stated that it was prepared to back any decision taken by its branches in the three universities if the government continues to delay implementation of the agreement six months after it was signed.

Speaking at the briefing, the ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Adesola Nassir, said lecturers across the institutions now feel abandoned and uncertain about the government’s commitment to their welfare.

“How can a government demand world-class university rankings while failing to create world-class conditions for academic work? How can excellence flourish where welfare remains uncertain? How can innovation thrive amid recurring industrial tension?” he asked.

Nassir argued that it was unacceptable for Lagos State, widely referred to as the “Centre of Excellence,” to fall behind other states that have already commenced implementation of the agreement.

“No government can legitimately claim excellence while the intellectual workforce responsible for producing excellence experiences prolonged uncertainty over agreed welfare commitments,” he said.

According to the union, the delay has already started affecting staff morale and could eventually lead to falling academic standards, instability within the institutions and disruption of academic activities.

“Where staff begins to feel despondent, as is now the case at LASU, LASUSTECH and LASUED, management of the system becomes problematic and this triggers institutional decline… inclusive of staff apathy, ethical drift, reduced graduate quality and eventually disruption in academic calendar,” Nassir stated.

ASUU also raised concerns over unresolved disputes within LASU and LASUED, including the dismissal of some union officials and the alleged victimisation of the ASUU chairperson at LASUED.

The union maintained that the Lagos State Government should be held accountable if the universities are eventually forced to embark on industrial action.

“Government, not ASUU, should be held responsible if all universities belonging to Lagos State are thrown into avoidable crises or totally shut down on account of poor response of the Government to the concerns of our members,” Nassir declared.

ASUU appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene by concluding discussions with the union branches in the affected institutions and implementing the 2025 agreement without further delay in order to avert what it described as “brewing unrest” across Lagos State-owned universities.