ASUU Elects Prof. Chris Piwuna as New President Amid Renewed Industrial Tensions

In a significant leadership transition, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Prof. Chris Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist and Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, as its new national president. The decision was reached during the 23rd National Delegates Congress of the union, held in Benin City on Sunday.

Piwuna succeeds Prof. Victor Emmanuel Osodeke, a Professor of Soil Science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, who served as ASUU president during a tumultuous period marked by prolonged strikes and intense negotiations with the Federal Government.

The election, which sources described as competitive yet orderly, saw Prof. Piwuna emerge victorious over Prof. Adamu Babayo of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

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A New Era of Leadership Amid Unsettled Industrial Issues

Prof. Piwuna steps into his new role at a time when Nigeria’s university system remains fraught with unresolved industrial tensions. Notably, there is growing discontent among ASUU members over the sharing formula of the recently disbursed Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) by the Federal Government.

While there has been no formal declaration of a strike, widespread speculations suggest that industrial action is looming, with union chapters across several universities holding emergency meetings and consultations. The brain drain crisis, poor remuneration, lack of infrastructural development, and inadequate funding of public universities continue to dominate union discourse.

These challenges will undoubtedly test Prof. Piwuna’s negotiation skills and leadership style, as he will be expected to balance union demands with national educational stability.

Profile: Who Is Prof. Chris Piwuna?

Prof. Chris Piwuna brings a blend of medical expertise, student advocacy, and union experience to the ASUU presidency. As a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Piwuna has made a name for himself in the field of mental health and is widely respected for his academic and clinical contributions.

In his concurrent role as the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, he has been credited with fostering better communication between students and university management, which many see as a testament to his conflict resolution skills—an asset that will be critical in his new role.

Prof. Piwuna has also previously served as Vice President of ASUU, positioning him as a seasoned member of the union’s leadership structure. His election is widely viewed as a continuation of ASUU’s longstanding commitment to assertive, principle-driven leadership in defense of academic integrity and university autonomy.

Outgoing President Osodeke Bows Out

Prof. Victor Osodeke leaves office after a tenure defined by fierce advocacy for improved funding of Nigeria’s public universities and welfare for academic staff. His presidency was marked by multiple nationwide strikes, most notably the protracted industrial action of 2022, which lasted eight months and drew significant national attention.

While Osodeke’s approach earned him both praise and criticism, especially from students and parents frustrated by disrupted academic calendars, he is credited with keeping ASUU’s issues in the public spotlight and pushing for reforms in university governance.

Union Unity and Government Relations in Focus

The outcome of the election has been met with cautious optimism by union members and observers who hope that Prof. Piwuna’s leadership could signal a new era of more productive dialogue with the Federal Government. However, many note that expectations are high, and the stakes remain critical for Nigeria’s ailing higher education sector.

Insiders within ASUU have urged the new president to prioritize:

• Resolving the EAA controversy
• Reviewing the IPPIS payroll challenges
• Restoring full university autonomy
• Addressing mass resignations and the academic brain drain

There are also calls for a more strategic engagement model that can secure concessions without necessarily resorting to protracted industrial actions that disrupt academic progress.

The Federal Government is yet to officially respond to the leadership change, though education stakeholders are expected to closely monitor ASUU’s next moves, especially regarding potential industrial actions.

Students, parents, and university management teams are equally watching to see how Prof. Piwuna will navigate the growing unrest among lecturers and the broader push for reforms in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.

As ASUU ushers in a new chapter under Prof. Chris Piwuna, the coming weeks are likely to set the tone for his presidency—and for the future of university education in Nigeria.