The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Imo State University branch, declared a total and indefinite strike on Monday, 10 August 2026, citing the failure of the Imo State Government and the university management to implement the agreement signed between ASUU and the Federal Government on 23 December 2025.

The Branch Chairman, Stephen Oguji, and Secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, announced the action at a press conference held at the university in Owerri, confirming that the strike would remain in force until the agreement is fully implemented.

The agreement, which was scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2026, covers enhanced welfare conditions and other terms of service for academic staff in public universities. The branch noted that implementation had commenced in state universities in Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun and Sokoto states, making IMSU's continued inaction particularly difficult to justify.

"To be sure, before now the branch, following the directive of the National Executive Council, has formally presented the Agreement to the University Administration severally, interacted with management, issued a 21 day ultimatum, yet nothing was done! No meaningful response," the address read.

"It is deeply disappointing that while our members have continued to discharge their duties with dedication and professionalism, the welfare commitments freely entered into by Government remain neglected. This situation is unacceptable to ASUU IMSU," the union stated.

Beyond the 2025 agreement, the branch cited a catalogue of unresolved grievances, including the retention of IMSU in the Treasury Single Account, non payment of promotion arrears since 2016, salary arrears spanning several months for many members, 21 months of withheld check off dues and non payment of the Education Allowance since 2009.

The union recalled that a similar strike in 2024 was suspended following management's appeal and promise to address outstanding issues, a commitment it described as unfulfilled.

"ASUU IMSU has therefore today, 10th August, 2026, embarked on a total and indefinite strike and vows never to return to work until the agreement is fully implemented," the statement declared.

The branch called on the Imo State Government to direct immediate implementation of the agreement and urged traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil society organisations, parents and student unions to prevail on the university's visitor to act without further delay.