The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Professor Chris Piwuna, a renowned Psychiatric Consultant and Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Jos, as its new National President. The election took place during the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress held at the University of Benin.
Piwuna emerged victorious in a closely contested election, defeating Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He succeeds Professor Victor Osodeke of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, whose tenure witnessed prolonged industrial actions over unresolved issues with the Federal Government.
The new ASUU president assumes office at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s university system, with pressing challenges including:
- Unresolved disputes over university funding and the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)
- The worsening brain drain affecting academic staff across universities
- Ongoing debates about university autonomy and staff welfare
Professor Piwuna’s background as both a medical professional and administrator positions him to address these multifaceted challenges. His election comes as ASUU prepares for fresh negotiations with the Federal Government, with the academic community anticipating his leadership approach to the union’s longstanding grievances.
The National Delegates Congress, ASUU’s highest decision-making body, brought together representatives from universities across Nigeria to deliberate on the future of tertiary education and set the union’s agenda for the coming years.
