Academic Activities Halt at IMSU as ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike
Imo State University, Owerri, was thrown into uncertainty on Monday after the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared an indefinite strike.
The decision was announced at a press conference held at the institution, where the branch Chairman, Stephen Oguji, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, explained the union’s grievances.
The lecturers said the industrial action became necessary after what they described as prolonged failure by the Imo State Government and the university management to resolve outstanding issues concerning staff welfare and conditions of service.
According to ASUU-IMSU, one of the major points of contention is the 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government, which was signed on December 23, 2025, with implementation scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.
The union said it had repeatedly engaged the university management on the matter, including formally presenting the agreement and issuing a 21-day ultimatum, but claimed that no meaningful response followed.
ASUU also alleged that some state-owned universities in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto had begun implementing the agreement, while IMSU had yet to do so.
The union’s grievances extend beyond the agreement. It alleged that promotion arrears dating back to 2016 remained unpaid, while some academic staff were owed several months of salaries.
It also complained about the alleged withholding of 21 months of check-off dues and non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance since 2009.
Another issue raised was the continued inclusion of IMSU in the Treasury Single Account, which the union described as a setback to university autonomy.
The lecturers recalled that similar grievances had led to industrial action in 2024. According to them, that strike was suspended following appeals and assurances that the outstanding matters would be addressed.
But with the latest action, ASUU-IMSU said it would not return to work until the 2025 agreement was fully implemented.
The union appealed to the Imo State Government to intervene without further delay, while urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, parents, student unions and other stakeholders to help resolve the dispute.
It also stressed that it remained willing to pursue dialogue, consultation and constructive engagement as avenues for resolving the disagreement.
ASUU-IMSU said its decision to embark on the strike should not be regarded as a rejection of negotiation, but as a protest against what it considers the continued denial of legitimate welfare entitlements.
The strike is expected to affect lectures and other academic activities at the university, with students and other members of the university community now awaiting further developments as efforts to resolve the dispute unfold.
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