The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the governors of Anambra and Imo states to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement or risk an indefinite strike in two state-owned universities.
The union warned that academic activities at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, and Imo State University (IMSU) would be suspended if Governors Chukwuma Soludo and Hope Uzodinma failed to commence implementation of the agreement within the stipulated period.
The ultimatum was announced on Monday by the Owerri Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dennis Aribodor, during a press briefing held at the ASUU Conference Hall of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Aribodor expressed concern that more than five months after the implementation of the agreement began in universities across the country, the two affected state-owned institutions had yet to comply.
He explained that ASUU had already exhausted all channels of dialogue with the governments of both states.
According to him, the union’s branches in COOU and IMSU submitted the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement to their respective university administrations in February 2026, following a directive from the union’s National Executive Council.
He added that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had also formally communicated the agreement to the governors, who serve as Visitors to the universities, as well as the institutions’ vice-chancellors.
Aribodor noted that the agreement covers critical issues, including salary shortfalls, infrastructure improvement and staff welfare.
“More than five months after the commencement of the implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, ASUU Owerri Zone regrets to alert the general public and critical stakeholders in the university education system that the agreement is yet to be implemented in the state-owned universities in ASUU Owerri zone.
“The Owerri zone comprises Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam in Anambra State, Federal University of Technology, Owerri in Imo State, Michael Okpara University, Umudike, in Abia State and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Anambra State.
“The two affected state universities in ASUU Owerri zone are Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, owned by the Anambra State Government, and Imo State University, owned by the Imo State Government.
“Our branches in both COOU and IMSU, in obedience to the directive of the National Executive Council of ASUU, have submitted the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement to their respective University Administrations since February 2026.
“This was done notwithstanding that the National Universities Commission had earlier communicated the Agreement to the visitors of the state universities (the Anambra and Imo State governors) and Vice Chancellors of the two universities for implementation.
“Despite demonstrations of good faith and engagement of university authorities, including the Governing Councils and University Administrations by our Union in COOU and IMSU, the implementation of the Agreement has not commenced in both universities. This is both bad and sad for the University system.
“While implementation has commenced in many state-owned universities, including those owned by Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states. It is saddening that such has not happened in Anambra and Imo states.
“ASUU Owerri zone therefore calls on well-meaning citizens of Nigeria, especially the traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, parents, student groups as well as critical stakeholders in the university education system to prevail on the visitor to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (the Anambra State Governor) and the visitor to Imo State University (the Imo State Governor) to commence the implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement to uphold industrial harmony.
“Continued delay of the implementation serves no useful purpose and only aggravates industrial tension within the affected universities. Failure to implement the agreement within 14 days, we are going to embark on an indefinite strike.
“ASUU Owerri zone cannot continue to watch while our members in State Universities are subjected to poor welfare conditions. Injury to one is injury to all! A stitch in time saves nine.”
Aribodor observed that while several states, including Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto, had already begun implementing the agreement, Anambra and Imo were yet to take similar action.
He warned that the prolonged delay was worsening the welfare of lecturers and contributing to the migration of experienced academics from universities in the South-East.
According to him, COOU currently receives about N180 million monthly from the Anambra State Government, compared to the roughly N600 million some other states allocate solely for university staff salaries.
“Continued delay serves no useful purpose and only heightens industrial tension in the affected universities.
“I don’t know why Anambra and Imo states should wait until there is industrial unrest before taking action,” he added.
The Chairman of ASUU at COOU, Ibekilo Bruno, disclosed that the university requires approximately N300 million monthly to pay the salaries of its academic staff.
Similarly, the ASUU Chairman at IMSU, Stephen Oguji, said the institution needs about N1 billion to adequately provide for the welfare of both academic and non-academic employees.
Oguji described the financial situation at IMSU as difficult, alleging that all financial transactions are controlled through the state government’s single account system, leaving the university management with limited financial independence.
The latest warning comes after ASUU’s Benin Zone also threatened to embark on industrial action in seven state-owned universities across Edo, Delta and Ondo states if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not reflected in the July salary payments.
