- Over welfare-related issues
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) branch, has commenced an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement and other welfare-related issues.
The union vowed not to return to work until the agreement is implemented at the university.
In a statement issued on Monday in Owerri, the branch Chairperson, Stephen Oguji, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwebdu, called on the Imo State Government to urgently direct the implementation of the agreement.
The union said the continued delay had heightened industrial tension and served no useful purpose.
ASUU-IMSU also appealed to traditional rulers, religious organisations, civil society groups, parents, unions and other stakeholders in the education sector to prevail on the Visitor to the university to ensure the implementation of the agreement.
The union, however, said it remained committed to dialogue, consultation and constructive engagement as the preferred means of resolving industrial disputes.
ASUU recalled that the Federal government and the union signed an agreement on December 23, 2025, on improved welfare and other conditions of service for academic staff in public universities, with implementation scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026.
According to the union, it had repeatedly raised the issue, including during a media briefing by the Owerri Zone about six weeks ago, but said little had changed at IMSU.
The union expressed concern that while implementation had commenced in some State-owned universities in Bauchi, Ekiti, Osun and Sokoto states, IMSU is yet to benefit.
It also criticised the continued inclusion of the university in the Treasury Single Account (TSA), describing it as an erosion of university autonomy.
Other grievances cited by the union included the non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2016 and what it described as poor welfare conditions for academic staff.
The union said its members had continued to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and professionalism despite the outstanding welfare issues.
“The union cannot continue to watch while its members are subjected to poor welfare conditions,” ASUU-IMSU said.