Prof. Chris Piwuna Elected New ASUU National President

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Professor Chris Piwuna as its new National President, marking a significant leadership transition within Nigeria’s foremost academic union. The announcement was made at the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress held at the University of Benin in Edo State.

Prof. Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist and the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, emerged victorious after a competitive election against Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Until his election, Piwuna served as the Vice President of ASUU, bringing years of experience and deep involvement in the union’s leadership.

He takes over from Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who had led the union since 2021. Under Osodeke’s leadership, ASUU engaged in multiple negotiations and industrial actions focused on university funding, autonomy, and academic staff welfare.

Piwuna’s emergence comes at a critical period for Nigerian public universities. The system continues to grapple with underfunding, brain drain, unpaid Earned Academic Allowances, and demands for improved infrastructure and academic freedom. As the 14th president of ASUU, Prof. Piwuna is expected to steer the union’s engagements with the Federal Government and other stakeholders toward meaningful reforms in the university system.

Members of the academic community and observers of Nigeria’s education sector are watching closely, hopeful that the new leadership will advocate effectively for the revitalization of higher education in the country.