The Lagos State University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-LASU) has declared a total and indefinite strike over what it described as the failure of the government to implement the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement.

The union announced the decision on Tuesday, September 15, following a congress at which members resolved to commence the industrial action.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the ASUU-LASU Steering Committee, Comrade Thanny Nooem, and the Coordinator, Comrade Oluwaseun Babalola, the union said the decision followed months of what it described as “patient and constructive engagement” with the government without a resolution of the issues in dispute.

“This unfortunate and avoidable action has become necessary due to the continued failure of the Government to address the Union’s longstanding agitation over the implementation of the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement,” the statement said.

ASUU-LASU said it was seeking the “full domestication and implementation of the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement” as a condition for resolving the dispute.

“The strike shall be total and comprehensive until there is a satisfactory resolution of the issues in dispute,” the union said.

The union expressed regret over the development, saying previous efforts to resolve the matter through engagement had not produced the desired outcome.

The industrial action is expected to affect teaching and other academic activities at Lagos State University, including its Ojo campus and other campuses, pending further developments.

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on Tuesday when the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) visited the Benin Royal Palace to seek the monarch’s blessing and support as the 2027 re-election campaign begins.

The delegation was led by the Director-General of the PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aleiro; former Kano State Governor and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Katsina State Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

Also on the delegation were former Senate President Pius Anyim, the Minister of Water Resources, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, among other members of the campaign council.

The Edo State Deputy Governor received the delegation on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo before introducing the team to the monarch.

Speaking during the visit at the palace, Yari conveyed Tinubu’s greetings to the Oba and appealed for the monarch’s blessing and support for the President ahead of the 2027 election.

Yari highlighted what he described as some of the administration’s achievements, including the reduction in food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after it had risen to about ₦1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.

In his response, the Oba of Benin thanked Tinubu for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State House in Abuja and expressed appreciation to the campaign council for visiting the palace.

The monarch subsequently prayed for Tinubu to secure a renewed four-year mandate, saying the President should be allowed to continue with his programmes.

“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the Oba said.

He added in Pidgin: “As he dey pain them, he dey sweet us.”

The monarch also urged Nigerians and opposition parties to support the President, arguing that those who believe Tinubu is doing well should join hands with him to continue his work.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” he said. “If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well? Let President Tinubu finish the good work.”

The Oba further said that not everyone was suited to occupy the office of President and called on opposition parties to support Tinubu in implementing his ongoing programmes.

He asked the delegation to convey his best wishes and appreciation to the President for the hospitality extended to him during his visit to Abuja.

The Lagos State Police Command has vowed to arrest Nigerians who organised a protest against the presence of Chinese traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex.

The protesters had gathered at the market and chanted, “Chinese must go,” while demanding that Chinese merchants leave the market and return to their country.

However, the traders said their protest was not aimed at attacking Chinese nationals but was driven by concerns over the alleged involvement of some Chinese businesses in retail trading, which they claimed was affecting their businesses.

One of the protesters said, “We no longer make sales. If you import goods, they slash their prices lower than our own and sell to our customers.”

The trader alleged that some Chinese businesses had rented shops and built warehouses within the complex, where they sold goods directly to consumers.

He further alleged that some of the businesses obtained customers’ telephone numbers from waybills and contacted them to sell their goods directly.

According to the protesters, their concerns were specifically about the alleged competition with Nigerian traders and not a call for attacks on Chinese nationals or the destruction of their businesses.

“If any of us spoils anything here, the person will pay for it. We are not saying we are going to beat the Chinese or spoil their warehouse,” the trader said.

He stressed that Nigerian traders had maintained good relationships with Chinese business owners but objected to their alleged involvement in retail trading.

The protest, however, attracted the attention of security agencies, with the Lagos State Police Command describing those behind the demonstration as “few and handful miscreants” and warning that arrests would be made.

The development followed a briefing attended by the Chairman of Amuwo Local Government, Prince Lanre Sanusi; officials of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) Market; the Lagos State Police Command led by the Area Commander; and other security agencies.

The meeting was held to brief members of the public and address the situation following the protest at the market.

In an update on the incident, the area commander, who represented the state police commissioner, Tijani Fatai, said, “What happened was the handwork of a few miscreants, few disgruntled fellows in the market. A handful of them that went the other way. And they have been cautioned and arrests will be made as soon as possible.”

The leadership of ASPMDA also said the situation was quickly brought under control after the incident.

The police intervention came after videos of the protest circulated on social media, showing traders gathered at the market and chanting against the presence of Chinese merchants.