By Waziri Isa Adam
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Professor Chris Piwuna of the University of Jos as its new national president, succeeding Professor Emmanuel Osodeke. The decision was made during the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress, held at the University of Benin.
Professor Piwuna clinched the presidency after a closely contested race against Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi. His victory marks the beginning of his tenure as ASUU’s 14th president.
Professor Piwuna assumes leadership amid pressing challenges facing Nigerian universities, including funding shortfalls, unpaid Earned Academic Allowances, the ongoing brain drain crisis, institutional autonomy, and academic staff welfare. His presidency is expected to steer ASUU’s negotiations with the federal government and other key stakeholders on these critical issues.
“We are committed to defending the interests of academic staff and ensuring the survival of public education in Nigeria,” Professor Piwuna stated following his election.
The union’s congress, which brought together delegates from universities across the country, concluded with renewed calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s higher education sector.