Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has approved the full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FG-ASUU) agreement for staff of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), with implementation scheduled to commence in January 2027.
The approval is expected to address longstanding concerns over the welfare and conditions of service of academic staff at the state-owned university, where the implementation of the agreement had remained a subject of engagement between the university’s management, governing council, labour unions and the state government.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Harrison Madubueze, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, explaining that the governor’s approval was conveyed to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Omenugha, through the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Peter Onwualu.
Omenugha welcomed the decision, expressing appreciation to the governor on behalf of the university’s management, Senate, staff and students. She described Soludo as “a dependable leader whose word is his bond,” recalling his earlier assurances concerning the implementation of the agreement.
The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the contributions of the university’s labour union leaders towards securing the approval, highlighting the importance of engagement between university management, staff representatives and the government in addressing employment-related concerns.
According to the university’s statement, the full implementation of the FG-ASUU agreement had remained unrealised at COOU under previous administrations, despite earlier promises to address the matter.
“However, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, in keeping with his social agenda, under education to ‘restore teaching as a profession of pride, where teachers will be motivated and rewarded appropriately,’ has now delivered that long-expected reality for COOU staff,” the statement said.
The development follows concerns previously raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, COOU chapter, over delays in implementing the agreement. In September, the union appealed to the state government to intervene, warning that continued delays could heighten industrial tension at the institution.
The union had argued that improved remuneration and working conditions were necessary to strengthen staff morale, retain qualified academics and sustain the quality of teaching and research. It also expressed concern about the financial pressures facing lecturers who travel to the university’s campuses to perform their duties.
The approval therefore marks a significant development in the relationship between the state government and the university’s academic workforce, although the practical impact will depend on the commencement and consistency of implementation from January 2027.
The 2025 FG-ASUU agreement was renegotiated to address issues relating to academic staff remuneration, allowances, working conditions and other aspects of university welfare. The Federal Government formally unveiled the agreement in January 2026, including a 40 per cent upward review of academic staff emoluments through a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and other provisions.
However, the implementation of federal agreements at state-owned universities requires action by the respective state governments, making state-level approval important to translating the provisions into improved conditions for lecturers.
For COOU, the anticipated implementation raises expectations among academic staff that the outstanding welfare concerns will receive sustained attention. It also places responsibility on the relevant university and state authorities to ensure that the approved provisions are implemented in accordance with the agreement.
The Anambra State Government has repeatedly emphasised its ambition to strengthen public institutions and improve the state’s educational system. The university described the latest approval as part of efforts to transform COOU into an institution of global standing.
“The implementation of this agreement by Governor Soludo is only one of the steps the government is determined to take to completely transform COOU into a university of global stature,” the statement added.
For students, the development also carries implications for academic stability. Improved staff welfare can contribute to a more conducive teaching and research environment, while sustained engagement between university authorities and labour unions may help reduce the risk of disputes disrupting academic activities.
Nevertheless, the January 2027 commencement date will be the critical test of the approval, as university staff await the translation of the government’s decision into the promised implementation of the agreement.
The Nigeria Education News will continue to monitor developments surrounding the implementation of the FG-ASUU agreement at COOU and other state-owned universities across Nigeria.
