The Students of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, have communicated to our correspondent their readiness to stage a protest if the ongoing issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-IMSU) and the state government are not resolved promptly.
The students are increasingly worried about the detrimental impact of the indefinite strike on their academic progress and future opportunities.
It is important to recall that ASUU-IMSU initiated an indefinite strike on September 20, 2024, citing unresolved grievances such as non-payment of promotion arrears, salary disparities, and insufficient university funding.
According to a source close to Douglas House, the union has been persistently pressing the state government and university management to address these long-standing issues; however, no significant progress has been achieved thus far.
The source further stated that the revenue generated from the university is adequate to settle the grievances raised by ASUU-IMSU. They highlighted that other state universities operate independently and manage their revenues effectively to enhance their institutions.
The governor serves as the visitor of the school, and there are calls for Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to consider separating the university's revenue from the state account—a practice that has been in place since the institution's inception.
The students have urged Governor Hope Uzodimma and the university administration to prioritize negotiations with ASUU in the coming week to ensure that their education is not disrupted any further. If both the state government and university management fail to take concrete steps toward resolving this crisis, the students have vowed to take to the streets in protest, as affirmed by several students interviewed.
They believe that a united front will exert pressure on authorities to find a solution that addresses the concerns of both lecturers and students alike.
This potential protest reflects a growing frustration among IMSU students who find themselves caught in the middle of the ongoing dispute between ASUU and the government.
One student expressed, "We are determined to make our voices heard and ensure that our academic journey is not derailed due to factors beyond our control. We have rights as students to confront both the government and school management; unfortunately, however, the Student Union Government at IMSU is ineffective."
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