The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Prof. Chris Piwuna as its new national president, marking a leadership change for the union. The election took place during ASUU’s 23rd National Delegates Congress held at the University of Benin.
Prof. Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist and Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, emerged victorious over Prof. Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He succeeds Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who has led the union since 2021.
The new president inherits a challenging mandate as ASUU continues to grapple with critical issues affecting Nigerian universities, including inadequate funding, unpaid earned academic allowances, brain drain, and the ongoing struggle for university autonomy.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Piwuna pledged to work tirelessly to address these challenges and to foster unity among academic staff nationwide. He emphasized the importance of dialogue with the government to ensure sustainable solutions for the advancement of Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Stakeholders in education and university communities across the country have expressed optimism that Prof. Piwuna’s leadership will bring renewed vigor to ASUU’s efforts in advocating for the welfare of academic staff and the improvement of the nation’s universities.
As the new administration takes charge, the academic community and students alike await the direction ASUU will take under Prof. Piwuna’s stewardship.
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