The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the governors of Anambra and Imo states, warning that lecturers will embark on an indefinite strike if the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement is not implemented in two state-owned universities.
The union said academic activities at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, and Imo State University (IMSU) could be suspended if Governors Chukwuma Soludo and Hope Uzodinma fail to act before the deadline expires.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the ASUU Conference Hall of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Dennis Aribodor, expressed disappointment that more than five months after implementation of the 2025 agreement began across the country, the two universities were yet to comply.
According to Aribodor, both ASUU branches submitted the agreement to their respective university administrations in February 2026 in line with a directive from the union’s National Executive Council. He added that the National Universities Commission had also forwarded the agreement to the governors, who serve as Visitors to the institutions, as well as their vice-chancellors.
He said the agreement covers key issues affecting university education, including salary shortfalls, staff welfare and infrastructure development. Despite repeated engagements with university management, governing councils and state authorities, implementation has not commenced in either institution.
Aribodor noted that several other state governments, including Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto, had already begun implementing the agreement. He warned that continued delays in Anambra and Imo were worsening lecturers’ welfare and contributing to the growing migration of academic staff from universities in the South-East.
He further revealed that Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University currently receives about ₦180 million monthly from the Anambra State Government, despite requiring significantly more funding. The ASUU Chairman of COOU, Ibekilo Bruno, said the university needs about ₦300 million each month to meet academic staff salary obligations.
At Imo State University, ASUU Chairman Stephen Oguji said the institution requires about ₦1 billion monthly to adequately provide for the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff. He also alleged that the university has limited financial autonomy because major expenditures are controlled by the state government through a single treasury account.
ASUU warned that failure by the Anambra and Imo state governments to begin implementing the agreement within 14 days would leave the union with no option but to embark on an indefinite strike. The union urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, students and other stakeholders to intervene and help prevent another disruption to academic activities.
