The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Prof. Chris Piwuna as its new national president, ushering in what many hope will be a fresh phase of unity and progress within Nigeria’s academic space.
His emergence was announced during the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress, which took place on Sunday in Benin City, Edo State.
Prof. Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, is also serving as the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos.
This transition in leadership is coming at a time when the union is faced with a number of challenges, especially issues related to funding and welfare.
He takes over from Prof. Victor Osodeke, a Professor of Soil Science at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, who had led the union through a series of national strikes and negotiations with the government.
In the election, Prof. Piwuna contested against Prof. Adamu Babayo of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
After voting was concluded, Piwuna was declared winner.
The smooth transition is being seen as a sign of internal stability and a new chance for ASUU to revisit its strategy and relationships, both with its members and with the Federal Government.
This development also reflects a changing landscape in the ASUU leadership structure, which many believe is long overdue.
Meanwhile, Piwuna’s victory is already being linked to renewed hopes that the union’s board meetings will now become more inclusive and proactive.
The union, however, still faces unresolved issues.
Tensions remain around the sharing formula for Earned Academic Allowances recently disbursed by the government.
Furthermore, concerns about brain drain, poor infrastructure, and the general welfare of academic staff remain top on ASUU’s agenda.
