The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University, Owerri Branch, has commenced a total and indefinite strike over what it described as the failure of the Imo State Government and the university authorities to implement the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement.
The union announced the industrial action on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a press conference held at Imo State University, Owerri.
In a statement signed by the branch Chairman, Stephen Ogui, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, ASUU said the decision followed several engagements with the university management and the state government without meaningful progress.
The union recalled that ASUU and the Federal Government signed an agreement on December 23, 2025, providing for enhanced welfare for academic staff and improved conditions of service in public universities, with implementation scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026.
According to the union, ASUU-IMSU had repeatedly presented the agreement to the university administration, engaged management and issued a 21-day ultimatum, but said its demands had not received a meaningful response.
The union expressed concern that while implementation of the agreement had commenced in some state-owned universities, including institutions in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states, the situation remained unchanged at IMSU.
ASUU-IMSU also raised concerns over what it described as the continued retention of the university under the Treasury Single Account (TSA), saying this had resulted in an erosion of university autonomy.
The union further alleged the non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2016 and the non-payment of salaries owed to some of its members.
“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 union stated.
The lecturers called on the Imo State Government to urgently direct the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement at the university.
They also appealed to traditional and religious institutions, student unions, civil society organisations, parents, students and other critical stakeholders in the education sector to prevail on the Visitor to Imo State University to address the issues.
The union, however, stressed that it remained committed to dialogue, consultation and constructive engagement as the preferred means of resolving industrial disputes.
It cautioned that its commitment to peaceful resolution should not be interpreted as acceptance of what it described as the continued denial of the legitimate welfare rights of its members.
“ The Union cannot continue to watch while our members are subjected to poor welfare conditions,” ASUU-IMSU said.
The lecturers expressed hope that the relevant authorities would act expeditiously to resolve the dispute and bring the strike to an end.
The press conference was delivered at Imo State University, Owerri, on Monday, August 10, 2026.
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