ASUU Raises Alarm Over IMSU Crisis, Urges Uzodimma to Intervene

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, has raised concerns over what it described as the worsening condition of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, calling for urgent intervention by the state government.

The union said the university was facing challenges that could affect its operations and long-term development. It urged Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is the visitor to the institution, to take immediate steps to address the issues.

The concerns were contained in a statement dated September 17, 2026, and signed by the ASUU Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Dennis Aribodor. The union also called for the implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, saying action was needed to “save the soul of the university.”

ASUU urged Governor Uzodimma to bring the university management, Governing Council and the union together for a roundtable discussion. It said such engagement would provide an opportunity to examine the institution’s challenges and work towards lasting solutions.

The union also raised concerns over the remuneration of casual workers at IMSU. It alleged that some casual staff receive about N50,000 monthly, which it said had contributed to what it described as sharp practices within the university.

Another major concern raised by ASUU was the absence of a fresh employment exercise at the institution for more than a decade. The union said the last recruitment exercise took place in 2014.

According to the union, IMSU’s academic staff strength has since fallen from more than 1,000 to about 500. It attributed the decline to migration, retirement and the deaths of members of staff, warning that the reduction could place additional pressure on the university’s academic operations.

ASUU therefore called on the Imo State Government to ensure that the university’s management and Governing Council are fully briefed on the situation and that concrete measures are introduced to address the staffing and administrative challenges.

The union’s call comes as Nigerian universities continue to face debates over funding, staffing, working conditions and the implementation of agreements between university unions and government. For IMSU, ASUU said urgent action was needed to prevent the current challenges from becoming more difficult to reverse.