Protesters call for the reinstatement of lecturers dismissed from LASU
Protesters have stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, calling for the reinstatement of five lecturers allegedly wrongfully dismissed from Lagos State University (LASU).
The demonstration began on Wednesday at Ikeja Under Bridge and moved to the Assembly, where participants submitted a petition urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to act. Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “The unjust dismissal of ASUU-LASU 5 is academic terrorism” and “Sanwo-Olu — Intimidation is not leadership. Recall LASU 5 now.”
The lecturers, who served as executives of LASU’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter, were dismissed between 2017 and 2019. They include Akinloye Isaac Oyewumi (chairman), Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu (vice-chairman), Anthony Dansu (secretary), Adeolu Oluwaseyi Oyekan (assistant secretary), and Oluwakemi Aboderin-Shonibare (treasurer).
Activist Abudu Akinlola Olumayowa told journalists that the government must respect human rights and stressed that the lecturers’ expertise benefits society. “Violations of fundamental human rights must stop. We are calling for the reinstatement of LASU Five,” he said.
The lecturers were initially sanctioned by LASU management for allegedly mishandling official documents. In February 2022, an appeal committee cleared them and recommended reinstatement. However, the decision was reversed 48 hours later, leaving the lecturers still seeking justice.
