The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it will stage a picketing exercise and shut down Lagos State-owned universities if the state government fails to implement the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government and the union.
The institutions affected by the planned action are Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).
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Addressing journalists on Thursday at the LASUSTECH main campus in Ikorodu, ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Prof. Adesola Nassir, criticised the Lagos State Government for its failure to domesticate and implement the agreement despite months of engagement.
He explained that the union had repeatedly written to the state government but had received no meaningful response, leaving members with no option but to consider industrial action.
According to Nassir, the union is issuing the warning early to avoid claims that its members are being influenced by external interests. He said the prolonged delay in implementing the agreement has left lecturers in Lagos State-owned universities feeling neglected, undervalued, and doubtful about the government’s commitment to staff welfare.
The ASUU leader recalled that the union spent eight years renegotiating the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government before the 2025 agreement was eventually signed. He noted that the negotiation process involved representatives of both federal and state universities, including pro-chancellors and officials from relevant government agencies, with the expectation that implementation would be smooth across the country.
He, however, expressed disappointment that despite six months of discussions with representatives of the Lagos State Government, there had been no concrete progress toward implementing the agreement.
Nassir questioned whether the state government truly prioritises the welfare of its workforce, arguing that a state that prides itself as the “Centre of Excellence” should not neglect the academics responsible for teaching, research, innovation, and the training of future professionals.
He warned that the continued delay in fulfilling agreed welfare commitments has left lecturers in the affected institutions increasingly frustrated and demoralised.
The union also pointed out that many other state governments have already implemented the 2025 agreement, leaving Lagos as one of the few states yet to comply.
According to Nassir, the state’s handling of staff welfare issues has become a recurring concern, while unresolved labour disputes in LASU and LASUED continue to receive inadequate attention.
He maintained that ASUU remains committed to dialogue but would not tolerate any attempt to undermine agreements reached through collective bargaining. He stressed that industrial harmony can only be sustained when governments honour commitments made to university workers.
Nassir disclosed that ASUU had formally communicated with all state governments through university vice-chancellors, including Lagos State, while the National Universities Commission (NUC) had also issued relevant correspondence on the matter.
He added that several state university branches of the union have already embarked on industrial action over the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement, noting that the national union fully supports those actions and is prepared to extend similar measures to Lagos if the situation remains unresolved.
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