The Owerri Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has publicly challenged the governors of Anambra and Imo states, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Senator Hope Uzodinma. The union claims these leaders have failed to adopt the 2025 federal agreement designed to boost academic welfare and educational standards.
During a media briefing at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, ASUU Owerri Zone Coordinator, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, stated that while the national agreement has been active for over five months, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) and Imo State University (IMSU) remain non-compliant. According to Aribodor, both institutions submitted the necessary documents to their respective administrations in February 2026, supported by notifications from the National Universities Commission.
While other states such as Bauchi, Benue, and Ekiti have already integrated the agreement, Anambra and Imo have lagged behind. Aribodor urged stakeholders, including religious leaders and civil society groups, to pressure the governors to act before industrial stability is compromised. He highlighted that COOU only receives ₦180 million monthly from the state, which is insufficient compared to the ₦300 million required for academic salaries alone. Similarly, Comrade Stephen Oguji of IMSU noted that his institution requires ₦1 billion to properly manage staff welfare, noting that the state government’s control over university finances creates significant operational constraints.
