“The ASUU-LASU 5: Seven Years After, the Wounds Remain Open”

LAGOS, Nigeria — Seven years after the dismissal of five lecturers of Lagos State University (LASU), the controversy surrounding their exit from the institution has resurfaced, with renewed appeals to the Lagos State Government to consider a resolution of the matter, including possible reinstatement.

The latest attention followed a reflection by Dr. Tony Dansu, one of the affected lecturers and a native of Badagry, who marked seven years since his dismissal in a message shared on Facebook.

Reflecting on the years since the incident, Dansu described the period as a difficult journey of waiting, watching and learning, saying it had taught him lessons about loyalty, betrayal, courage, fear, silence and grace.

He maintained that he had no bitterness or regret, saying he had chosen what he considered to be the path of truth, justice and fairness and would make the same choice again.

Dansu also expressed appreciation for those who stood by him during the period, while acknowledging that some people he expected to support him had disappointed him.

He ended his reflection on an optimistic note, saying that seven years was not necessarily the end of the story and expressing his belief that the matter would ultimately end in praise.

The ASUU-LASU 5

The other lecturers affected are Dr. Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi, who served as Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), LASU chapter; Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu, Vice Chairman; Dr. Adeolu Oluwaseyi Oyekan, Assistant Secretary; and Dr. Oluwakemi Adebisi Aboderin-Shonibare, Treasurer.

The lecturers and their union have consistently disputed the circumstances surrounding their dismissal.

They have maintained that they committed no wrongdoing and have argued that their actions were connected to their responsibilities as ASUU officials and their efforts to defend the welfare, rights and interests of members of the academic community.

LASU, on the other hand, had accused the lecturers of the unauthorised removal, retention and leaking of official confidential documents belonging to the university.

The disagreement has been taken before the courts, where the legal issues surrounding the matter remain unresolved.

A Decade of Injustice

The Joint Action Front (JAF), a pro-labour coalition, has described the continued removal of the lecturers from service as a “grave injustice” and an attack on labour rights and academic freedom.

In a statement issued on May 1, 2026, to mark International Workers’ Day, JAF called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the management of LASU to immediately reinstate the five dismissed academic staff members, with the restoration of all their lost financial benefits and promotions.

JAF accused the LASU authorities and the Lagos State Governor of failing to implement a 2022 decision by the university’s Governing Council, which reportedly found merit in calls for the lecturers’ reinstatement.

“The delay in reinstating these lecturers despite sustained public outcry reflects a troubling disregard for justice and the rights of workers to organise,” the statement said.

The coalition argued that the dismissal of the lecturers was part of a broader pattern of suppressing dissent within the institution, warning that it has created a climate of fear among academic staff and weakened union activities.

A Call for Reconciliation

Against this background, various individuals and groups have appealed to the Lagos State Government and the university authorities to find a mutually acceptable way of resolving the matter.

Among those calling for renewed consideration are concerned youths and stakeholders from Badagry, who have organised peaceful protests and appealed for the affected lecturers to be reinstated.

The appeal has particular significance in Badagry because of Dansu’s roots in the historic Lagos community.

Supporters believe that bringing the prolonged dispute to an end, whether through reinstatement or another mutually acceptable resolution, would be welcomed by many residents.

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Some Badagry stakeholders have also argued that a favourable resolution could strengthen the relationship between the Lagos State Government and residents of the area and generate considerable goodwill for the administration and the ruling political party ahead of the 2027 general election.

However, the appeal for reinstatement also comes amid the unresolved legal dispute and the university’s stated allegations against the lecturers.

For that reason, supporters of the lecturers are being urged to allow the courts and relevant authorities to determine the outstanding legal issues while continuing to make their case for reconciliation and a possible administrative resolution.

The latest appeal to the Lagos State Government is therefore not simply a demand to overlook the issues that led to the dismissals, but a call for the government to explore whether, after seven years of litigation and disagreement, there is room for reconciliation, justice and a mutually acceptable settlement.