LASU First Public University to Resume Activities

Lagos State University became the first public university to resume academic activities on Monday, September 21, 2020. The institution’s initial resumption date was September 14, which was foiled by protesting Joint Action Committee of Staff Unions (ASUU, SSANU, NASU, and NAAT) members. They locked all university staff and students out of the school on account of the failure of the state government to implement the new minimum wage.

A press release by the office of the Special Adviser of Education notified the public of the agreement between the Lagos State Government and Staff unions on the payment of the new minimum wage. Subsequently, all campuses of the Lagos State University (LASU) have been opened for normal academic and administrative activities.

LASU introduced its resumption plans a few weeks ago, in this plan, final year students (those in 400, 500 and 600 level, depending on the duration of the programme) were required to resume lectures first. The school pointed out that it allowed final year students to resume first because they are mature and most likely to adhere to the COVID-19 prevention measures on campus.

The university, which was recently ranked the second-best university in the country by Times Higher Education, stipulated some conditions for accessing the University campus, in line with the NCDC directives. Entrants into the university must be screened using infrared thermometers is compulsory, wash their hands before entering the school and students are required to come with their individual sanitizers.

Birisowo Ademola, a final year student who resumed today, is excited about the presumption.

“I am really glad. The pandemic has affected many things, our studies included. It is a big relief to hear and confirm the resumption of final year students in Lagos. It is what we have been waiting for and it’s a start to controlling the coronavirus restrictions.”

“School resuming is a great opportunity for final year students, they have the opportunity to finish what they started four years ago,” Kehinde Oladimeji noted.

She revealed that the scheduling is not too convenient as large classes were being separated into divisions. But she admits that the University management is just taking necessary precautions.

“Marshalls were quick to disperse any crowd of students in order to maintain social distancing. I hope they keep this momentum,” she said.