The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigeria’s foremost union for university lecturers, has elected Professor Christopher Piwuna as its new national president.
The transition was sealed during the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress held at the University of Benin, Edo State.
Piwuna, a professor of psychiatry and former Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, Plateau State, emerged victorious over Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
The election marks a significant shift in the leadership of one of Nigeria’s most influential academic unions.
Confirming the handover, the immediate past president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, said in a chat with BusinessDay: “He [Piwuna] has taken over the mantle.” While ASUU is yet to release an official statement, the transition has already stirred conversations within academic and policy circles.
A New Era for ASUU?
Known for his progressive stance and firm discipline, Piwuna assumes leadership at a critical moment. The federal government recently released N50 billion for earned academic allowances—a development currently mired in internal disagreements over its distribution. Additionally, the union is grappling with long-standing issues such as poor funding, infrastructural decay, and increasing brain drain in the Nigerian university system.
Prof. Piwuna holds a medical degree (MBBS) from the University of Jos (2000) and a Master’s certificate from the University of Malta. His international exposure, union activism, and deep knowledge of student affairs have positioned him as a potentially transformative figure in Nigerian higher education.
What Lies Ahead
Piwuna’s leadership comes as speculation looms over a possible industrial action. Stakeholders, including students and parents, are watching closely. Will ASUU push for yet another strike or explore new pathways for advocacy?
In a continent where education remains both a challenge and a tool for transformation, the role of university unions like ASUU is crucial. All eyes will be on Prof. Piwuna and his team to see how they navigate the stormy waters of academic unionism in Africa’s most populous nation.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
