The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the governors of Imo and Anambra states, warning that lecturers in two state-owned universities will embark on an indefinite strike if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not implemented.
The union said the warning affects Imo State University (IMSU) and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, accusing both state governments of failing to implement the agreement more than five months after its nationwide rollout.
Speaking during a press conference at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the ASUU Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Dennis Aribodor, said the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the governments of Governor Hope Uzodinma and Governor Chukwuma Soludo without success.
According to him, both universities submitted the agreement to their respective administrations in February 2026, while the National Universities Commission (NUC) also forwarded it to the governors and vice-chancellors for implementation.
Aribodor explained that the agreement covers key issues such as staff welfare, salary deficits and infrastructure development, stressing that several other state-owned universities have already begun implementation.
“Continued delay serves no useful purpose and only heightens industrial tension in the affected universities. Failure to implement the agreement within 14 days, we are going to embark on an indefinite strike,” he warned.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents and students to intervene and persuade both governors to implement the agreement in the interest of industrial peace.
The ASUU official also expressed concern over the welfare of lecturers in the affected institutions, warning that the delay was contributing to the continued migration of academics from universities in the South-East.
Meanwhile, the ASUU Chairman of COOU, Ibekilo Bruno, disclosed that the university requires about ₦300 million monthly to pay lecturers’ salaries.
Similarly, the ASUU Chairman of IMSU, Stephen Oguji, said the university needs about ₦1 billion every month to adequately cater for the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff, describing the institution’s financial situation as alarming.
The union maintained that if nothing changes before the expiration of the ultimatum, lecturers in both universities will withdraw their services indefinitely.
