The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, has raised the alarm over what it described as the worsening condition of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, urging Governor Hope Uzodimma to intervene urgently.

The union appealed to the governor, as Visitor to the university, to summon the management, Governing Council and ASUU to a roundtable to examine the challenges confronting the institution and find lasting solutions.

In a statement signed by its Zonal Coordinator, Dennis Aribodor, and dated September 17, 2026, ASUU alleged that casual workers engaged by the university receive about N50,000 monthly, a situation it said had contributed to sharp practices within the institution.

The union further alleged that the university had not conducted any employment exercise for more than 10 years, adding that the last recruitment exercise was carried out in 2014.

According to ASUU, the university’s academic staff strength had dropped from more than 1,000 to about 500 due to migration, retirement and death, describing the decline as a serious threat to the effective running of the institution.

The union urged the state government to ensure that the university management and Governing Council were fully briefed on the challenges, adding that urgent measures be taken to address the shortage of academic manpower and other issues affecting the institution.

ASUU also called on the relevant authorities to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, stressing that such action was necessary to improve conditions at the university.

The union appealed to the governor and other stakeholders to act urgently to “save the soul of the University”, saying a roundtable involving the government, management, Governing Council and ASUU would provide an avenue for addressing the challenges. (The Nation)