LASU Shut Down Indefinitely

The Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo has been closed down indefinitely following the inability of the government to meet the demands of the staff union including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Academic Staff Union (NASU).

It was gathered that the closure is linked with the unions’ feuds with Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa over several issues.

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.

It will be recalled that the staff unions, last week, 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.

According to ASUU’s president, Adekunle Idris, the university community was tired of the administration of Obafunwa.

He said, Obafunwa would not preside over the university’s convocation.

According to him, “Convocation can proceed if an acting vice-chancellor is appointed” he said.

“The four months balance of our arrears of increment should be paid. The new acting vice chancellor must take care of the victimisation, withdrawal of certificates and other issues.

“Process for the appointment of a new vice-chancellor on a one term basis must begin now. Abuse of due process as members of different academic associations elected into the senate of the university must be allowed to sit.

“About N3.2 billion belonging to LASU from the intervention fund should be accessed. The new VC should set up a budget monitoring committee which Professor Obafunwa had refused to set up must be put in place to so as to assess the fund.

“The inappropriate promotion of some staffs and appointment must be reviewed or reversed.”

He also stated that staff members accused of embezzlement must be investigated and punished.

The association, however, declared that following the protests by NASU, which he said could have led to the lynching of the former vice chancellor and some other principal officials of the university, it might be forced to suspend lectures as the association does not support physical attacks on any academic staff.