By INNOCENT Igwe
Academic activities have been grounded at the Imo State University, Owerri as the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced an indefinite strike following the continued delay by the university to implement the enhanced welfare for it’s members.
In a Press Statement jointly signed by the chapter Chairman Stephen Oguji and secretary Lazarus Chikwendu, it said on 23rd December 2025,ASUU and the Federal Government signed an agreement for enhanced welfare of Academic staff and for other conditions of service in public universities with effect from January 1,2026.
It said that ASUU had addressed the media on the issue, on May 11,2026 after it’s NEC meeting in Yola, Adamawa State.
It also said that six weeks ago ASUU Owerri zone addressed the media calling on the Imo State Government to implement the agreement in the Imo State University, lamenting that eight months after the take off, nothing has happened in the university while implementation has commenced in some state owned universities, including those owned by Bauchi,Ogun,Osun and Sokoto,States, despite repeated engagements with the University Administration.
According to it, “Before now, following directives of it’s national leadership,the branch had formally presented the agreement to the university administration, severally interacted with the management,issued a 21day ultimatum” yet no meaningful response.
Other issues according to ASUU Imsu chapter, include the continuous retention of the University in the Treasury Single Account (TSA),which it said was a complete erosion of the university autonomy,Non payment of promotion arrears since 2016,non payment of salaries of many of it’s members for several months, withholding of 21months check-off dues of the union,non payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA)since 2009,among other issues.
It said it was for these reasons that the union went on strike in 2024 which was later suspended following appeals and promises by the management to look into the issues then.
ASUU called on the State government to direct immediate implementation of the 2025 ASUU FG Agreement in Imsu as continued delay only heightens industrial tension.
It also called on well meaning citizens of Nigeria and Imo State in particular especially traditional and religious institutions,civil society organizations, parents, students unions and other critical stakeholders in education to prevail on the visitor to the university,to commence implementation of the Agreement as the strike will continue until it is implemented, pledging the union’s
commitment to dialogue, consultation and constructive engagement for resolving the dispute.
