The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University, Owerri branch, has commenced a total and indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the state government and university management to implement the 2025 agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government.
The union announced the industrial action on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a press conference at the university in Owerri.
ASUU-IMSU Chairman, Stephen Oguji, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, said members would not return to work until the agreement and other outstanding welfare demands were addressed.
According to the union, ASUU and the Federal Government signed an agreement on December 23, 2025, covering improved welfare and other conditions of service for academic staff in public universities, with implementation scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.
The IMSU branch said nearly eight months had passed without implementation at the institution despite repeated engagements with the university management.
It noted that implementation had commenced in some state-owned universities, including institutions owned by Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states.
The union said it had formally presented the agreement to the IMSU administration several times, held discussions with management and issued a 21-day ultimatum, but received no meaningful response.
“It is deeply disappointing that while our members have continued to discharge their duties with dedication and professionalism, the welfare commitments freely entered into by Government remain neglected,” the union said.
Beyond the implementation of the 2025 agreement, ASUU-IMSU listed several other unresolved issues affecting its members.
These include the continued retention of IMSU under the Treasury Single Account, which the union described as an erosion of university autonomy, as well as alleged non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2016.
The union also complained about months of unpaid salaries for some members, the withholding of 21 months of union check-off dues and the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances since 2009.
ASUU-IMSU recalled that similar grievances resulted in industrial action in 2024, which was subsequently suspended following appeals and assurances from the university management that the issues would be addressed.
The union said the continued failure to resolve the matters left it with no alternative but to resume industrial action.
“ASUU-IMSU has therefore today, 10th August, 2026 embarked on a total and indefinite strike and vows never to return to work until the agreement is fully implemented.”
The lecturers called on the Imo State Government to urgently direct the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement at the university, warning that further delays could worsen industrial tensions.
The union also appealed to traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, student unions and other stakeholders in the education sector to intervene.
Despite declaring an indefinite strike, ASUU-IMSU said it remained open to dialogue and constructive engagement with the relevant authorities.
“We wish to state unequivocally that ASUU-IMSU remains committed to dialogue, consultation and constructive engagement as the preferred mechanisms for resolving industrial disputes.”
The union, however, maintained that its willingness to engage in dialogue should not be interpreted as acceptance of what it described as the continued denial of its members’ legitimate welfare rights.
ASUU-IMSU said the strike would continue until its demands, particularly the implementation of the 2025 agreement, are addressed.
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