Nigeria: ASUU Shuts Nigerian University, Gives Reason

What the report says

The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Imo State University in Owerri has announced a total and indefinite strike, according to Premium Times via AllAfrica. The union said the action was taken after repeated talks with university management did not resolve its complaints. The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday at the campus, with union officials Stephen Oguji and Lazarus Chikwendu speaking for ASUU-IMSU.

The union said the strike was triggered by what it described as delays in implementing an agreement on staff welfare and conditions of service. It also said a 21-day ultimatum had expired without a meaningful response from the Imo State Government and the university management. Among the issues cited were unpaid promotion arrears, salaries allegedly owed to some staff, withheld check-off dues and Earned Academic Allowance. ASUU-IMSU also objected to the university remaining under the Treasury Single Account system, arguing that it limits autonomy.

The report says the dispute has been recurring: the union had previously suspended industrial action in 2024 after appeals and assurances from management. ASUU-IMSU said some state universities elsewhere are already implementing similar agreements and urged Governor Hope Uzodimma and other stakeholders to intervene. The state education and information commissioners had not responded at the time of reporting. The development is significant because it could disrupt teaching and academic work at IMSU while the dispute remains unresolved.