The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, comprising Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam; Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU); and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, has announced that it will have no alternative but to embark on full-scale industrial action from November 21, 2025, if the Federal Government fails to address their longstanding demands.

It decried what it termed ‘selective implementation’ of its agreement with the Federal Government.

The announcement was contained in a release signed by the zonal coordinator, Prof Dennis Aribodor, and issued to journalists during a briefing at the ASUU–UNIZIK Conference Hall in Awka yesterday.

Aribodor said: “This press conference was necessitated by the need to alert all critical stakeholders in the Nigerian university system and, indeed, the general public, that time is running out to prevent full-scale industrial action in our public universities.

“Please recall that ASUU, out of respect for students, parents, media, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other well-meaning Nigerians, reviewed the two-week warning strike, declared on October 13, 2025, and resolved to suspend the strike on October 22, 2025, five days before the expiration of the two-week period. The union gave the government a one-month window to resolve all issues. Eight days to the end of this one-month window, where are we?”

According to him, the ASUU Owerri Zone has observed with consternation the government’s continuous failure to prioritise education, perceiving it as a commercial good that must be self-sustaining, rather than a social good that guarantees peace, progress, and national development.

MEANWHILE, in a statement issued by its President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Taraba State University, Jalingo, expressed worries over the FG’s alleged back-and-forth approach to negotiations with the union’s officials, ASUU sternly warned that continued indecision on the side of the government could have “serious consequences on the education sector”.

The union further warned that the Federal Government might face another nationwide industrial action if it fails to honour its agreements.

“We, therefore, hope that our expectations and indeed the expectations of Nigerians for a quick and holistic resolution are not dashed,” the union said.