The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Owerri zone comprising about five universities has threatened to resume its suspended strike within the next eight days if the federal government fails to address its outstanding demands.
The universities are Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Federal University of technology Owerri (FUTO),Imo State University (IMSU), Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The union, which represents academic staff in public universities across the country, had previously suspended its two-week warning strike on October 22, 2025, giving the government a one-month window to resolve the issues.
However, in a press conference held at the ASUU secretariat, Unizik Awka, the zonal coordinator, Dr. Dennis Aribodor, expressed disappointment that the government has failed to take advantage of the opportunity to address the union’s concerns. “Time is running out, and the patience of our members is wearing thin,” Dr. Aribodor warned.
According to ASUU, the government’s neglect of the education sector is the root cause of the problem. The union has accused the government of perceiving education as a commercial good rather than a social good, and has called for increased budget allocation to at least 15% to support the education sector. Currently, the education sector is allocated only 5-7% of the national budget, which ASUU says is grossly inadequate.
The union’s demands include a living wage for academic staff, payment of outstanding arrears, including 25-35% wage award, payment of three and a half months withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions. ASUU has also called for improved funding for universities, citing the need for better infrastructure, equipment, and resources to support teaching and research.
ASUU has condemned the government’s “no work, no pay” threat, stating that it won’t deter their struggle for the right thing. “ASUU is a patriotic union demanding for what is due to us,” Dr. Aribodor said. “We are not asking for a favor; we are demanding our rights.”
The union has urged the government to utilize the remaining days to achieve a holistic resolution, including payment of outstanding arrears, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions. If the government fails to meet the demands, ASUU has threatened to pull the plug on universities, which could lead to a total shutdown of public universities in the country.
The threat of a strike has sent shockwaves across the country, with students, parents, and stakeholders expressing concern about the potential disruption to academic activities. The government has been urged to take the union’s demands seriously and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the issues.
As the clock ticks away, ASUU is standing firm, ready to take drastic action if necessary. The union’s leadership has vowed to fight for the rights of its members and ensure that the education sector is given the attention it deserves. The ball is now in the government’s court, and the nation is watching closely to see how the situation will unfol
