Academic activities at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, have been brought to a standstill following the declaration of a total and indefinite strike by the institution’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the alleged failure to implement the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government welfare agreement.

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The union announced the industrial action during a press conference held on the university campus on Monday, August 10, 2026, accusing the Imo State Government and the university management of refusing to implement the agreement signed on December 23, 2025, which was scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026. ASUU said the decision followed months of unsuccessful engagements, including a formal 21-day ultimatum, with no meaningful response from the state government.

Addressing journalists, IMSU ASUU Chairman, Dr. Stephen Oguji, alongside the branch Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, expressed disappointment that while several state-owned universities across Nigeria have begun implementing the improved welfare package, lecturers at IMSU have continued to work under unfavourable conditions. They noted that repeated interventions by the national and Owerri zonal leadership of ASUU had failed to produce results.

The union recalled that the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement introduced enhanced welfare packages and improved conditions of service for academic staff in public universities. According to the leadership, despite nationwide advocacy and media engagements after ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting in Yola, Imo State has remained one of the few states yet to implement the agreement.

“Recall that ASUU and the Federal Government on December 23, 2025 signed an agreement for enhanced welfare of academic staff and other conditions of service in public universities, scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026. Unfortunately, nearly eight months later, nothing has changed in Imo State University,” the union stated.

ASUU noted that universities owned by Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto States have already commenced implementation of the agreement, describing the situation in IMSU as unfair despite repeated discussions with the university administration.

Beyond the welfare agreement, the union highlighted several longstanding grievances affecting lecturers. These include the continued operation of the university under the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which it described as a violation of university autonomy, non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2016, several months of unpaid salaries for some lecturers, withholding of 21 months’ check-off dues, and the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) since 2009.

“ASUU-IMSU regrets the continuous retention of IMSU in the Treasury Single Account, a complete erosion of university autonomy, non-payment of promotion arrears since 2016, non-payment of salaries of many of our members for several months, withholding of 21 months of check-off dues and non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances since 2009,” the union said.

The lecturers recalled that similar unresolved issues forced the branch to embark on strike action in 2024, which was later suspended following assurances by the university management that the concerns would be addressed. According to the union, those promises have remained unfulfilled.

Declaring the commencement of the indefinite strike, ASUU insisted that its members would not return to classrooms until the welfare agreement and all outstanding entitlements are fully implemented.

“ASUU-IMSU has therefore today embarked on a total and indefinite strike and vows not to return to work until the agreement is fully implemented. We call on the Imo State Government to urgently direct the immediate implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement in Imo State University. Continued delay serves no useful purpose and only heightens industrial tension,” the union declared.

The union appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents and student bodies to intervene by urging the Governor of Imo State, who serves as the Visitor to the university, to resolve the crisis without further delay.

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, ASUU maintained that lecturers could no longer continue to endure poor working conditions and the denial of their legitimate welfare and professional rights, warning that academic activities at the university would remain suspended until all outstanding issues are addressed.