By Emmanuel Iheaka
OWERRI — The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Imo State University, IMSU, branch has commenced an indefinite strike over alleged non-payment of salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements owed its members.
The union announced the commencement of the industrial action on Monday, August 10, 2026, saying the strike would be total and indefinite until its demands are met.
In a statement signed by the branch Chairperson and Secretary, Stephen Oguji and Lazarus Chikwendu, respectively, ASUU said 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.
The union alleged that the Imo State Government had failed to implement the agreement at IMSU despite repeated engagements, ultimatums and appeals.
According to the union, implementation of the agreement had commenced in some state-owned universities, including those in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states.
It said: “While implementation has commenced in some state-owned universities, including those owned by Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states, it is saddening that such has not happened in IMSU despite repeated engagements with our university administration.
“To be sure, before now, the branch, following the directive of the National Executive Council, has formally presented the agreement to the university administration severally, interacted with management and issued a 21-day ultimatum, yet nothing was done.”
ASUU-IMSU also alleged that some of its members were owed several months’ salaries, while promotion arrears dating back to 2016 remained unpaid.
The union further alleged the withholding of 21 months’ check-off dues, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance, EAA, since 2009, and the continued inclusion of the university in the Treasury Single Account, TSA, which it described as an erosion of university autonomy.
It recalled that the branch embarked on a strike in 2024 over some of the issues but suspended the action following an appeal and assurances from the university management.
“ASUU-IMSU has therefore today, 10th August, 2026 embarked on a total and indefinite strike and vows never to return to work until the agreement is fully implemented,” the union said.
The union urged the Imo State Government to immediately direct the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement at the university, warning that continued delay would heighten industrial tension.
It also appealed to traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, parents, student unions and other stakeholders to intervene and prevail on the Visitor to IMSU to address the issues.
ASUU-IMSU, however, said it remained committed to dialogue and constructive engagement, stressing that its willingness to resolve the dispute peacefully should not be interpreted as acceptance of what it described as the continued denial of members’ legitimate welfare rights.
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