A fresh crisis has erupted at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), IMSU Branch, has declared a total and indefinite strike.
The union announced the industrial action on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a press conference held at the university.
The decision, according to the branch leadership, followed the alleged failure of the Imo State Government and the university management to implement the 2025 agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government on improved welfare and conditions of service for academic staff.
The agreement was signed on December 23, 2025, and was expected to take effect from January 1, 2026.
Addressing journalists, the IMSU ASUU Chairman, Stephen Oguji, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, said the union had made several efforts to resolve the matter without resorting to industrial action.
They disclosed that the branch had repeatedly presented the agreement to the university management, held engagements with officials and issued a 21-day ultimatum, but claimed that no meaningful response followed.
The union expressed frustration that implementation of the agreement had reportedly commenced in several other state-owned universities, including institutions in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states, while IMSU was allegedly left behind.
ASUU also listed several other grievances, including what it described as the continued retention of IMSU in the Treasury Single Account, which it said undermines university autonomy.
The union further alleged that promotion arrears dating back to 2016 remained unpaid, some members had gone several months without receiving their salaries, 21 months of check-off dues had been withheld, and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) had allegedly remained unpaid since 2009.
According to the union, similar grievances contributed to the strike it embarked upon in 2024, which was later suspended following appeals and assurances from the university management.
However, ASUU-IMSU said the latest developments had left it with no option but to commence an indefinite strike.
The union vowed not to return to work until the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement is fully implemented at Imo State University.
It also called on the Imo State Government to urgently intervene, warning that continued delays could further heighten industrial tension within the institution.
ASUU-IMSU appealed to traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, student unions and other stakeholders to prevail on the relevant authorities to address the issues.
Despite the strike, the union said it remained committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution, but stressed that this should not be interpreted as acceptance of what it described as the continued denial of its members’ welfare rights.
The development is expected to have significant implications for academic activities at the institution as students and staff await further action from the state government and university management.
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