Union gives Anambra, Imo governors final warning over unpaid staff welfare, threatens indefinite strike in two state universities
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerlo Zone, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Governors Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo), demanding immediate implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement or risk a total shutdown of academic activities at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) and Imo State University (IMSU).
Speaking at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, ASUU Owerri Zonal Coordinator Dennis Aribodor lamented that despite five months passing since the agreement’s implementation began nationwide, both state-owned universities have yet to comply even though the National Universities Commission had already communicated the terms to the governors and vice-chancellors.
“More than five months after commencement of the implementation, the agreement is yet to be implemented in state-owned universities in our zone,” Aribodor said. “This is both bad and sad for the university system.”
The union said it has exhausted all engagement avenues, including discussions with governing councils and university administrations. They submitted the agreement to university authorities back in February 2026, yet nothing has moved.
While states like Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, and Sokoto have already begun implementation, Anambra and Imo remain stubbornly stuck. Aribodor warned that this delay is worsening lecturers’ welfare and fueling the brain drain of academics fleeing South-East universities.
The financial figures paint a grim picture:
· COOU receives just N180 million monthly from the state government, far below the N300 million needed for academic staff salaries alone
· IMSU would require about N1 billion to adequately cater for both academic and non-academic staff welfare
· The Imo State Government allegedly controls all university finances through a single account, leaving management with zero autonomy
“Continued delay serves no useful purpose and only aggravates industrial tension,” Aribodor warned. “Failure to implement the agreement within 14 days, we are going to embark on an indefinite strike.”
ASUU COOU Chairman Ibekilo Bruno and ASUU IMSU Chairman Stephen Oguji both painted a desperate picture of decaying infrastructure and demoralized staff, with Oguji describing the situation in Imo State University as “pitiable.”
The union called on traditional rulers, religious institutions, civil society, parents, and students to pressure both governors into action before it’s too late.
“Injury to one is injury to all! A stitch in time saves nine,” Aribodor declared.
