Professor Chris Piwuna has emerged as the new president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). His election took place on Sunday during the 23rd National Delegates Congress of the union, held in Benin City, Edo State.
The event attracted delegates and representatives from universities across the country, with Piwuna securing a victory in a closely contested election against Professor Adamu Babayo, a scholar from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi State.
Piwuna, a seasoned consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, also serves as the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos. His vast academic experience and leadership in student affairs played a significant role in his successful bid for the presidency.
He succeeds Professor Victor Emmanuel Osodeke, a respected soil science expert from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Osodeke’s tenure was marked by his strong stance on university funding and staff welfare, leading ASUU through challenging periods of strikes and tense negotiations with the Federal Government.
The election, which was transparent and participatory, reflected ASUU’s strong democratic culture. With Piwuna’s background in psychiatry and student affairs, his leadership is expected to bring a human-centered approach to ASUU’s advocacy for better funding and conditions for university staff.
As ASUU’s new president, Piwuna faces the daunting task of steering the union through ongoing challenges, including improving infrastructure, funding, and the welfare of university staff. His leadership is expected to foster unity within the academic community and continue pushing for the necessary reforms in Nigeria’s higher education system.
