ASUU Elects Prof. Chris Piwuna, the current Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos as New National President Amidst Industrial Tensions
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Professor Chris Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital and the current Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, as its new National President.
His election marks a pivotal moment in the union’s leadership, as the academic community grapples with several unresolved challenges in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Prof. Piwuna succeeds Professor Victor Emmanuel Osodeke, a Professor of Soil Science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, whose tenure witnessed both advocacy and friction with the federal government over various educational and welfare issues.
The leadership transition was formalized during the 23rd National Delegates Congress (NDC) of ASUU, held in Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday. The congress, which brings together delegates from university chapters across the country, serves as the union’s highest decision-making body.
The election for the presidency was closely contested between Prof. Piwuna and Prof. Adamu Babayo, a distinguished academic from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
Prof. Piwuna’s emergence comes at a critical time for the union and Nigeria’s public university system. The sector is currently mired in multiple crises, including the contentious disbursement of the recently released Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) by the Federal Government. Many university lecturers have expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation formula, which they say lacks transparency and equity.
Additionally, the new ASUU leadership faces the persistent issue of brain drain, with an increasing number of Nigerian academics emigrating in search of better opportunities abroad. This trend has contributed to a decline in academic manpower and has strained the already underfunded university system.
Industrial action remains a looming threat, as ASUU chapters nationwide have voiced concerns over what they describe as the government’s failure to honour previous agreements, inadequate funding of the tertiary education sector, and poor working conditions. Many observers believe that Prof. Piwuna’s leadership will be immediately tested by how the union responds to these longstanding grievances.
ASUU, known for its historical role in advocating for improved conditions in Nigeria’s universities, often through strikes and negotiations, is expected to continue its push for systemic reforms under the new leadership.
Prof. Piwuna, with his background in psychiatry and student affairs, is anticipated to bring a unique perspective to the presidency, possibly focusing on the mental well-being of both staff and students alongside traditional union demands.
The academic community, policymakers, and students alike will be watching closely to see how the new ASUU president navigates these turbulent times and whether he can achieve a balance between firm advocacy and constructive engagement with stakeholders.