The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos zone, has issued a strong demand for the unconditional reinstatement of five executive members dismissed from Lagos State University (LASU). This call was made by Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, the zone’s coordinator, during a press briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Following the briefing, ASUU members from various universities, including the University of Lagos, Kwara State University, University of Ilorin, and Tai Solarin University of Education, participated in a peaceful rally around LASU’s Ojo Campus. The demonstrators carried placards demanding justice, with messages such as: “Dear Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Tony Dansu’s Contributions to Education are Invaluable—Reinstate Him and Others” and “LASU Benefits from ASUU Struggles—Recall Our Staff.”
Prof. Odukoya urged the Lagos State Government to lift the embargo on the implementation of the LASU Governing Council’s decision regarding the dismissed members. He also called for the immediate release of the visitation panel’s report, emphasising that the public deserves transparency on the findings and recommendations.
The dismissed ASUU-LASU executives include Dr Isaac Oyewumi (Chairman), Dr Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu (Vice Chairman), Dr Tony Dansu (Secretary), Dr Adeolu Oyekan (Assistant Secretary), and Dr Oluwakemi Aboderin-Shonibare (Treasurer). These officers were dismissed between September 2017 and 2019 after challenging their trials by the university in court. The court had ruled that the university did not have the authority to proceed against the union officers, but LASU continued with the trials and dismissals.
Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at LASU, stated that the university is awaiting the state government’s white paper on the matter. He noted that the state governor had instructed the commissioner for tertiary education to engage with LASU, expressing hope for a positive resolution soon.
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