The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, has observed with concern recent attempts by the COOUNews to misrepresent the purpose, content, and outcome of the Union's official visitation to the institution. We also find it necessary to respond to comments credited to the Vice-Chancellor of the University regarding the Union's position on the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
Ordinarily, ASUU does not engage in needless public exchanges. However, when issues capable of misleading our members and the general public arise, it becomes imperative to set the records straight. The position of ASUU COOU has remained consistent, unambiguous and well documented. Five months after the commencement of the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement, implementation in COOU had not commenced, a concern that prompted the National Visitation Team to visit the branch as part of its nationwide assessment of the implementation status of the Agreement in affected universities.
Contrary to comments suggesting that the Union's intervention was merely an attempt by its leadership to "seek relevance," the visitation formed part of a nationally coordinated exercise approved by ASUU. The intervention was undertaken solely in the collective interest of members, particularly those in state universities where implementation had either been delayed or had not commenced.
The suggestion that the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Dennis Aribodor, was merely seeking relevance is therefore unfortunate, unwarranted and completely inconsistent with the facts. Comrade Aribodor acted within the mandate of the Union and in furtherance of decisions taken by the National leadership of ASUU. His intervention, like those of other national officers, was motivated only by the need to safeguard the welfare and legitimate rights of our members.
Indeed, the Congress of ASUU-COOU, at its meeting of 15 July 2026, reaffirmed that the speedy implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement remains imperative. The Branch further acknowledged the efforts of the National body and the Owerri Zone in supporting branches where implementation has not commenced, describing such interventions as being in the collective interest of members rather than personal pursuits. It is therefore misleading to reduce a legitimate union assignment to a search for personal relevance.
Equally disturbing was the report released by the COOUNews following the visit of the National Visitation Team.
While portraying the engagement principally as a "courtesy visit" characterized by commendations and goodwill messages, the report conspicuously omitted the principal purpose of the visit and the substantive issues discussed.
For the avoidance of doubt, the visitation was specifically convened to assess the implementation status of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement in COOU. Discussions before the Branch Executive Committee, Congress, and subsequently with the University Management centered almost entirely on the implementation of both the financial and non-financial components of the Agreement.
The Branch Executive comprehensively briefed the National Team on its repeated efforts to persuade the University Administration and Governing Council to commence implementation of the Agreement, including formal communications highlighting both the financial obligations and non-financial commitments contained therein. During the Congress, members unanimously expressed deep concern over the continued non-implementation of the Agreement, especially considering that academic staff in COOU have remained on the same salary structure since 2009. The Congress consequently resolved to intensify engagement with both the Governing Council and the University Administration to ensure prompt implementation.
The subsequent meeting with the Vice-Chancellor equally focused on practical steps towards implementation. Among the understandings reached were that certain components of the Agreement fall within the powers of the University Administration and Governing Council to implement without requiring further approval from the Visitor to the University. It was equally agreed that the Administration and Governing Council would continue engaging the Visitor regarding the financial components requiring government intervention. Furthermore, Management agreed to constitute an Implementation Committee comprising representatives of the Union, the University Administration and the Governing Council to facilitate the implementation process. These were the substantive outcomes of the engagement.
It is therefore regrettable that the narrative issued by COOUNews failed to adequately reflect these critical discussions, choosing instead to highlight peripheral exchanges while downplaying the very issues that necessitated the visitation.
ASUU wishes to state unequivocally that the Union's commitment is not to personalities but to principles. Our concern remains the welfare of our members, the faithful implementation of duly negotiated agreements, the protection of the university system and the advancement of quality public education.
We acknowledge that the University authorities have recently made assurances and indicated willingness to commence implementation of the Agreement. These assurances are welcome. However, our members are interested not merely in promises but in concrete actions. We therefore look forward to the immediate inauguration of the agreed Implementation Committee and the commencement of the implementation process without further delay.
The Union remains committed to constructive engagement and social dialogue. Our interventions are never intended to undermine university managements but to ensure that agreements freely entered into are faithfully implemented in the interest of industrial harmony and the development of our universities.
We urge members of the public to disregard misleading narratives capable of creating false impressions regarding the purpose of ASUU's engagements. The facts remain clear, the records are available, and the Union's position has never changed.
ASUU COOU shall continue to pursue, through lawful and principled means, the full implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN Agreement and every legitimate entitlement due to its members.
*Signed:*
Comrade Nnamdi Bruno Ibekilo
ASUU Chairperson
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), COOU Branch*
Comrade Udoka Bernard Alajekwu
ASUU Chairperson
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), COOU Branch*