Academic activities at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, have been disrupted after the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced an indefinite strike.
ASUU-IMSU declared the industrial action on August 10, citing unresolved issues surrounding staff welfare and the implementation of agreements affecting academic workers.
The union said the strike followed several engagements with the university management and the Imo State Government without satisfactory resolution.
According to reports, the lecturers are demanding the implementation of outstanding welfare commitments and improved conditions of service.
Punch reported that ASUU-IMSU said the industrial action would continue until the relevant agreements were fully implemented.
Premium Times similarly reported that the union had declared a total and indefinite strike after what it described as unsuccessful engagements with the university management.
The union has called on the Imo State Government to urgently address its grievances and intervene in the dispute.
ASUU-IMSU also appealed to traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, parents and student groups to encourage dialogue and help resolve the impasse.
The strike is the latest disruption to academic activities at the university following unresolved concerns over staff welfare and conditions of service.
Police arrest claim
Reports have also circulated claiming that police operatives arrested some ASUU officials following the declaration of the strike.
However, the specific claim of arrests could not be independently verified from the credible reports reviewed for this publication.
The confirmed development is that ASUU-IMSU has commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and employment-related issues.
The development could further disrupt academic activities at the institution if no resolution is reached between the union, university management and the state government.
ASUU has historically maintained that dialogue and negotiation remain the preferred means of resolving disputes involving university workers.
Students and parents will now be watching closely for developments as both sides face pressure to resolve the dispute and restore normal academic activities at the institution.