The Lagos State University (LASU), Nigeria has been closed down indefinitely following the inability of the government to meet the demands of its staff union including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Academic Staff Union (NASU).
Some of the demands of the staff unions include: the appointment of an acting vice-chancellor to preside over the convocation that would have been held last week and right the wrong allegedly done by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa’s including the victimisation of its members, withdrawal of certificates of lecturers and abuse of due process by the university’s management.
The closure, according to reports, might not be unconnected with the crises that had been rocking the 30-year-old institution with the unions being at loggerheads with the VC over several issues.
It had also passed a vote-of-no-confidence on him several months ago.
Last week, staff unions, including the SSANU and NASU, had staged a mass protest where Obafunwa was successfully booted out.
During the protest at the institution’s campus in Ojo, Obafunwa, who gained entrance with the aid of security officials, was chased out with sachet of water thrown at him.
Addressing members of ASUU at an emergency congress meeting before heading for a meeting with the state government, the association’s President, Adekunle Idris, noted that the university community was tired of the administration of Obafunwa, adding that he had tried to cripple the association with attempts to freeze its account and stopp its check-off dues of the association.
Stating the demands of ASUU to be tabled before the state government, the association’s president said the demands remained the same.
He noted that Obafunwa would not preside over the university’s convocation. According to him, “Convocation can proceed if an acting vice-chancellor is appointed” he said.
