• Prof. Piwuna joins EFCC, ex-VCs as Tinubu expected at CVC conference in Ilorin
By Waziri Isa Adam Gwantu
The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, will lead discussion on mental health and welfare challenges among staff and students at the 37th Annual General Assembly Conference of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, CVCNU.
The conference, themed “Building Resilient Universities for Nigeria,” will hold from August 17 to 20, 2026, at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to the programme, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is expected to address the assembly on Tuesday, August 18, during the opening ceremony at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
Prof. Piwuna will feature on a panel on stakeholder engagement between the National Assembly, labour unions, and university management. The session is part of Day 2 activities focused on “The AI-Ready Nigerian Universities – Leveraging Technology and Partnerships for Innovation and Transformation.”
Other panelists include Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions; Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, Chairman, House Committee on University Education; and the National Presidents of SSANU, NAAT, and NASU.
The ASUU President’s presentation is titled “Addressing Mental Health Issues Among Staff and Students.” It will focus on rising cases of stress, burnout, and welfare concerns in Nigerian universities.
The session follows Day 1 plenary on “Governance, Autonomy, and Financial Sustainability: Rethinking University Systems in Nigeria,” chaired by CVCNU Chairman and Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye.
Day 1 speakers include Emeritus Professor Ishaq O. Oloyede, former VC of UNILORIN and ex-JAMB Registrar, who will deliver the keynote on “Reimagining Nigerian Universities for Resilience: Leadership, Innovation, and Sustainability in a Disruptive Era.”
Dr. David Olom Nkpe of the EFCC will speak on “Balancing autonomy with accountability,” while Emeritus Prof. M. A. Akanji, former VC of FUT Minna, will address “Diversifying funding beyond government subventions.”
The four-day assembly is expected to produce a communique with policy recommendations on university governance, funding, technology adoption, and staff welfare.