The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri branch, has embarked on a total and indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement reached between the union and the Federal Government.

The strike action was announced on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a press conference held at the university campus in Owerri.

Speaking at the briefing, the branch Chairman, Stephen Oguji, alongside the Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, attributed the decision to the failure of the Imo State Government and the university management to implement the agreement signed on December 23, 2025, which was scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.

According to the union, repeated engagements with the university administration, including formal presentations of the agreement and the issuance of a 21-day ultimatum, yielded no meaningful response.

The ASUU leadership recalled that the agreement was aimed at improving the welfare and conditions of service for academic staff in public universities.

 

While implementation has reportedly commenced in some state-owned universities such as those in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, and Sokoto States, the union lamented that IMSU has yet to take similar steps nearly eight months later.

The union further decried several unresolved issues affecting its members, including the continued inclusion of IMSU in the Treasury Single Account, non-payment of promotion arrears since 2016, months of unpaid salaries for some staff, withholding of 21 months’ check-off dues, and the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances since 2009.

ASUU-IMSU also noted that these lingering concerns had previously led to a strike in 2024, which was suspended following assurances from the university management that the issues would be addressed.

Declaring the current action, the union stated that the strike would remain in force until the agreement is fully implemented.

The union called on the Imo State Government to urgently initiate the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement, warning that continued delays would only escalate industrial tensions.

It also appealed to stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, and student unions, to intervene and urge the appropriate authorities to act swiftly.

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution, ASUU-IMSU stressed that it would no longer tolerate what it described as the persistent neglect of its members’ welfare.

The union expressed hope that the relevant authorities would respond promptly to resolve the crisis and restore normal academic activities at the institution.