In a significant move to restore peace and unity, the Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Honourable Tolani Sule along with the ever-proactive Management of the Lagos State University of Education led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, on Monday 2nd March, 2026 paid courtesy visits to the Palaces of His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Aina Josiah Olanrewaju Ilemobade Kuyamiku 1. The Oloto of Oto-Awori Kingdom and His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Momodu Afolabi Ashafa. Aladi Onijanikin Kingdom, respectively.
The visits were centralised on restoring peace after the recent brawl that broke out between some sect of youths from the host communities of the University, Oto and Ijanikin.
The crisis which occurred on Saturday 28th February, 2026 and created fear among staff and students of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), prompting swift intervention from the state government to ensure stability and safety in the area.
Speaking during his visit in separate meetings at the Palaces of the Monarchs, Hon. Sule emphasized the importance of community security, stating that safety must be a collective responsibility. He noted that if the community is not safe, no one can truly feel secure. He called on the Oloto and Onijanikin kingdoms and community stakeholders to take deliberate steps toward restoring peace, adding that many parents are concerned about the safety of their children and wards and urged everyone to do the right thing.
He sympathized with the leadership of the communities on properties lost during the crisis and commiserated with LASUED Management on the loss of a member of its staff and students injured during the crisis noting that the state government vehemently frowned at such incidents.
The Vice Chancellor of LASUED, Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to collaborate with its host communities and expressed appreciation for the commissioner’s visit. She also commended the state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration’s rapid response and encouraged sustained efforts toward peace in the area. "The swift action shows that the government is responsible," she added.
Meanwhile, the Oloto of Oto-Awori Kingdom, Oba Aina Josiah Olanrewaju Ilemobade Ikuyamiku1, stated that the recent chaos halted lots of activities. Stressed the need for parents to properly train their children, reiterated full support and cooperation with the state government, and LASUED Management in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere is fully restored in the community while calling on security personnel to remain civil at the discharge of their duties.
In the same vein, Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, Oba, Momodu Afolabi Ashafa, expressed deep sadness over the crisis, saying it grieved his heart He assured residents that the community remains vigilant and is taking necessary steps to prevent any future incidents. Stating that the security personnel are on the trail of the fleeing perpetrators of the communities crisis.
In another meeting held on the same day in her office, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Bilikis Lafiaji-Okuneye also hosted the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Honourable Kareem Azeez Abiodun with other officers of the LCDA who came to commiserate with university management and seek support from the institution’s authority to restore peaceful atmosphere in the domicile. He added that efforts are being made to apprehend those behind the menace while measures will be put in place to curb future occurrence.
Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye commended the Chairman and his team for finding it deemed fit to have visited the university. She implored the LCDA leadership to continue to sensitize its masses and the need for them to notify the appropriate people when they notice any threat to the safety of the communities and their residents. "If you see something, say something," she concluded.
