Lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Branch, have threatened to commence processes towards industrial action over the continued delay in implementing the 2025 Federal Government ASUU Agreement at the institution.
The union raised the concern following what it described as months of engagement with the university management, Governing Council and other relevant stakeholders without the full implementation of the agreement.
In a statement issued by the ASUU-COOU Chairperson, Comrade Bruno Ibekilo, and Secretary, Comrade Udoka Bernard Alajekwu, the union said the 2025 agreement was concluded in December 2025 and became effective from January 1, 2026.
According to the union, the agreement provides for improved salaries and conditions of service for academic staff. It added that representatives of ASUU National and the Owerri Zone visited the university in July 2026 to advocate for its implementation.
The branch also disclosed that several meetings had been held with the university administration and a joint committee involving the union, management and the Governing Council, during which the financial and non financial implications of the agreement were discussed and relevant documents produced.
Despite the engagements, ASUU-COOU said the agreement remained unimplemented at the university.
The union said it had exercised patience and continued with dialogue in the interest of maintaining a stable academic calendar, but warned that its members could reconsider their position if the delay persisted.
ASUU-COOU further appealed to the Anambra State Government, the university’s Governing Council and management to implement the agreement, citing concerns over the welfare and working conditions of its members.
The union maintained that resolving the issue was necessary to sustain staff morale, retain qualified academics and ensure uninterrupted quality education at the university.
The latest development comes months after ASUU’s Owerri Zone warned in June 2026 that prolonged non implementation of the 2025 agreement at COOU and Imo State University could trigger industrial action.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
