The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos Zone, has warned that three Lagos State-owned universities could be shut down if the state government fails to implement the 2025 agreement reached with the union.
The warning affects Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
Speaking during a press conference at LASUSTECH on Thursday, ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Nassir, accused the Lagos State Government of failing to honour the agreement six months after it was signed despite repeated engagements with government officials.
He said the prolonged delay has left lecturers feeling neglected, undervalued 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?” Nassir asked.
According to the union, Lagos State, which prides itself as the “Centre of Excellence,” should not be behind other states that have already commenced implementation of the agreement.
ASUU argued that no government can genuinely pursue excellence in higher education while delaying the implementation of welfare commitments already agreed upon with its academic workforce.
The union warned that continued inaction could negatively affect staff morale, reduce academic productivity and ultimately lead to declining educational standards.
Nassir said prolonged uncertainty over lecturers’ welfare could result in staff apathy, weakened institutional ethics, lower graduate quality and disruptions to academic calendars across the affected universities.
Beyond the welfare concerns, ASUU also raised issues over unresolved internal disputes in LASU and LASUED, including the dismissal of some union officials and the alleged victimisation of the ASUU branch chairperson at LASUED.
The union declared its readiness to support any industrial action initiated by its branches in the three institutions if the state government fails to act.
ASUU maintained that responsibility for any disruption to academic activities would rest squarely with the Lagos State Government.
“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 said.
The union appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene by concluding discussions with ASUU branches in the affected institutions and implementing the 2025 agreement without further delay.
ASUU warned that prompt action is necessary to avert another round of industrial unrest capable of disrupting academic activities across Lagos State-owned universities.