Academic activities at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, may be disrupted after the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared an indefinite strike.
The lecturers announced the industrial action on Monday, August 10, 2026, citing the alleged failure of the Imo State Government and the university management to implement an agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government in December 2025.
The decision was made public at a press conference held at the university in Owerri.
Why the Lecturers Are on Strike
ASUU-IMSU Chairman, Stephen Oguji, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, said the branch had made several attempts to get the university management to implement the agreement, which was signed on December 23, 2025, and scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.
The union said it presented the agreement to the university administration on different occasions and held discussions with management over its implementation.
According to the lecturers, a 21-day ultimatum was also issued before the latest decision was taken.
The union, however, claimed that its efforts did not produce any meaningful resolution.
ASUU-IMSU said its frustration was heightened by reports that some state-owned universities in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states had already begun implementing the agreement.
The lecturers questioned why similar implementation had not taken place at IMSU.
“Nearly eight months down the line, nothing has changed in Imo State University,” the union said.
Other Issues Raised by ASUU
The disagreement extends beyond the implementation of the 2025 agreement.
ASUU-IMSU listed several other matters it said had remained unresolved by the university authorities.
Among them is the continued operation of the university under the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which the union said undermines the institution’s autonomy.
The lecturers also alleged that some academic staff were still waiting for promotion arrears dating back to 2016.
They further claimed that some members of staff had gone for several months without receiving their salaries.
Another issue raised was the alleged non-remittance of 21 months of ASUU check-off dues.
The union also said members had not received Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) since 2009.
Dispute Dates Back Several Years
ASUU-IMSU said the issues were not entirely new, recalling that similar grievances contributed to the branch’s industrial action in 2024.
That strike was eventually suspended following appeals and assurances from the university management that the outstanding matters would be addressed.
The union said the continued failure to resolve the issues had now forced it to resume industrial action.
In its latest declaration, the branch said it would remain on strike until the 2025 agreement is fully implemented.
Union Seeks Government Intervention
ASUU-IMSU called on the Imo State Government to intervene and ensure that the agreement reached between the union and the Federal Government is implemented at the university.
The lecturers warned that further delays could worsen the dispute.
The union also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, student bodies and other stakeholders in the education sector to intervene.
It urged them to prevail on the Visitor to IMSU to address the grievances responsible for the industrial action.
ASUU Says It Is Open to Talks
Despite the declaration of an indefinite strike, the union said it had not ruled out dialogue.
ASUU-IMSU said it remained prepared to engage the relevant authorities in constructive discussions aimed at resolving the dispute.
The lecturers, however, maintained that their willingness to negotiate should not be taken as an indication that they were prepared to abandon what they described as their legitimate welfare demands.
For now, the strike means academic activities at Imo State University could be affected until an agreement is reached between the union and the relevant authorities.
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