Chinedum Treasure
Academic Staff Union of Universities, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (ASUU-COOU) Branch has frowned over continued delay in the implementation of the 2025 ASUU–FGN Agreement in the university.
The body appealed to the Anambra State Government, Governing Council and University administration to honour and implement the agreement.
A statement on Tuesday signed by Chairperson, Comrade Bruno Ibekilo and Secretary, Comrade Udoka Bernard Alajekwu following its Congress held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the body threatened to initiate processes of industrial action if the delay persisted.
It said members had demonstrated enough patience, restraint and commitment at the expense of their life and welfare which it attributed to stable academic calendar the university.
The statement reads, “We hereby inform the general public that our Union has taken all necessary steps to draw the attention of the University Management and Governing Council to the need for full implementation of the 2025 ASUU–FGN Agreement.
“The agreement, after protracted renegotiation was concluded in December 2025 and became effective from 1 January 2026, provides improved salary and service conditions for academic staff.
“In July 2026, representatives of ASUU National and the Owerri Zone also paid an advocacy visit to the University administration as part of their visits to branches where implementation is yet to commenced which include state-owned universities wherein the need to fully implement the agreement was reechoed.
“The ASUU-COOU branch has held several meetings with the university administration and a joint committee of the union, administration and the governing council where presentation of the financial and non financial implications of the agreement were presented, discussed and relevant implementation supporting documents produced.
“Despite these efforts, the agreement is yet to be implemented in the branch. At her congress of 26th August 2026, the branch resolved that consultation and engagement with relevant stakeholders remained the most honourable approach but this did not yield fruit.
“The outcome of the peaceful wait in expectation has not been beneficial to our members. Activities in other sister state universities owned by less revenue receiving state like Abia state is a slap to the face of our members.
“Imo State University is currently on strike while we in COOU opted to remain supportive of our council and administration.
“At her September 17th congress the union resolved that if the receipt of their September 2026 salary comes without the components of the agreement, the branch would start to reconsider her stand of waiting in peaceful anticipation and initiate the processes of an industrial action as a final resort.
“Accordingly, ASUU–COOU hereby draws the attention of the Anambra State Government, the Visitor to the University, the Governing Council, University Management, other stakeholders and the general public to the continued non-implementation of this agreement.
“We must restate that even haven remained on the same salary structure and no structured salary increment since post 2009 agreement ASUU–COOU members have remained committed to their responsibilities.
“This demonstrates the patience, restraint and commitment of our members which has become clearly reflective on the stable academic calendar the university has taken pride in at the expense of the life and welfare of our members.
“We therefore appeal to the Anambra State Government, the Governing Council and University administration to honour and implement the agreement to improve the welfare and conditions of service of our members who now borrow to journey to Igbariam and Uli to render their services.
“This implementation is essential to sustaining staff morale, retaining already migrating qualified academics and providing quality university education and attainment of the dreams of the founding fathers of the university.”
About Author
