ASUU Gives Anambra, Imo Governors 14-Day Ultimatum

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, warning that failure to do so will result in an indefinite strike in the affected state-owned universities.

The ultimatum was announced on Monday at a news conference held at the ASUU Conference Hall of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, by the union's Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Dennis Aribodor. 

He said the industrial action would affect Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, in Anambra State and Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, in Imo State if their respective governments fail to comply within the stipulated period.

Dr. Aribodor explained that although implementation of the agreement had commenced in many state-owned universities across the country, the governments of Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State were yet to begin implementation, more than five months after the agreement took effect nationwide.

He said both COOU and IMSU branches of ASUU submitted copies of the agreement to their university administrations in February 2026, in compliance with 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 to the vice-chancellors, for immediate implementation.

According to the ASUU leader, the agreement covers critical issues affecting the university system, including payment of salary deficits, improved staff welfare, infrastructure development and measures aimed at strengthening public university education.

Aribodor said all efforts by the union to resolve the matter through dialogue with the affected state governments, governing councils and university managements had failed to yield results.

"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 our zone.

"Despite demonstrations of good faith and engagement with university authorities, governing councils and university administrations, implementation has not commenced in both universities. This is both bad and sad for the university system.

"ASUU Owerri Zone therefore calls on well-meaning Nigerians, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, parents, students and all stakeholders to prevail on the Governors of Anambra and Imo states to commence implementation of the agreement and sustain industrial harmony.

"Failure to implement the agreement within 14 days will leave the union with no option but to embark on an indefinite strike."

He noted that several states, including Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto, had already begun implementing the agreement, making the continued delay by Anambra and Imo governments difficult to justify.

Aribodor warned that prolonged failure to improve lecturers' welfare would continue to fuel the migration of experienced academics from universities in the South-East, with negative consequences for teaching, research and the quality of tertiary education in the region.

Also speaking, the Chairman of ASUU, COOU Branch, Dr. Ibekilo Bruno, disclosed that the university requires approximately ₦300 million every month to meet the salary obligations of its academic staff.

Similarly, the Chairman of ASUU, IMSU Branch, Dr. Stephen Oguji, said the university needs about ₦1 billion monthly to adequately cater for the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff.

Oguji described the financial situation at the institution as critical, alleging that the state's Treasury Single Account arrangement leaves the university with limited financial autonomy and constrains its ability to meet its obligations to staff.

ASUU expressed hope that both state governments would act within the two-week ultimatum to avert another disruption to academic activities.

Source: Punch

Tags: #ASUU #Education #Anambra