The strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities Joint Action Committee of Lagos State Government-owned universities has entered its second week, with the state government promising to resolve the issues behind the industrial action this week.
The union commenced the strike on September 15, 2026, after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31 without what it described as a satisfactory resolution or concrete implementation plan.
The affected institutions are Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education and Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, said the state government had agreed to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and was awaiting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's approval for the release of funds.
Sule said the financial implications of the implementation had already been calculated and that the government was at the final stage of securing the necessary approval.
“We have taken a bold step by studying the Federal Government/ASUU agreement. In our commitment to implementation of the agreement, the government has held meetings with management of institutions and staff unions.
“A table has been computed. We are only waiting for the governor’s approval, which I want to assure you we will get between now and Wednesday,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the financial requirements for implementing the agreement were not included in the state's existing budget, making it necessary for the government to reorder its spending priorities and source funds from other ministries, departments and agencies.
“We have been speaking with the staff union that the amount involved is huge. This was not envisaged in the budget.
“We never knew this kind of thing would come up this year. So, we are telling them that, for this reason, we are doing re-ordering. The government wants to do re-ordering to bring money from some other MDAs,” Sule said.
He added that representatives of the affected unions participated in determining the financial requirements for implementing the agreement.
“The staff unions were part of the process of computation.
“What we did this time around is for the universities to go and do the table and bring it. They brought it, and we all talked about it,” he said.
Sule said the government had made significant progress towards resolving the dispute, with the release of funds by the governor remaining the major outstanding step.
“If you cross-check with them, they will tell you that we have gone far. All that is required is for the governor to sign the release of funds for us.
“And I want to say that this week, we will be through with this by the grace of God,” he said.
The commissioner also disclosed that the issue would be resolved upon the governor's return, adding that the State Executive Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday.
“But my promise is that everything will be resolved once the governor returns.
“We will be having an exco meeting tomorrow (Tuesday),” Sule said.
He maintained that the Lagos State Government had historically provided substantial support to its universities but said the institutions would also be included in the new arrangements arising from the 2025 agreement.
Meanwhile, ASUU said it embarked on the strike after the Lagos State Government failed to respond to its demands following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.
The union said the state government allowed the September 13 deadline to pass without initiating dialogue, despite its final warning on September 10 that “silence is no longer an option.”
The union's principal demand is the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement across Lagos State-owned universities.
According to ASUU, the demand includes the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and other critical welfare provisions for serving and retired academic staff.
The union said the strike would remain in force until meaningful engagement produces a satisfactory resolution and the Lagos State Government signs, domesticates and fully implements the applicable provisions of the 2025 agreement.
ASUU described the action as a “rescue mission for Lagos State education” and said it had the backing of its national leadership.
The union also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support its demands.
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