The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Professor Chris Piwuna as its new National President, following a keenly contested election during the 23rd National Delegates Congress held recently. Piwuna, a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Jos and a consultant at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, takes over from Professor Emmanuel Osodeke of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Piwuna secured 219 votes to defeat his rival, Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, who polled 118 votes. A total of 82 votes were voided during the election.
The new leadership emerged after voting by 419 delegates, and the process was lauded by union insiders as transparent and mature. “Nothing is automatic in ASUU,” said a union official. “Even though Piwuna served as Vice President, the leadership had to be earned.”
Full List of Newly Elected Officers:
- President: Prof. Chris Piwuna (University of Jos) – 219 votes
- Vice President: Dr. Austen Sado (University of Port Harcourt) – 232 votes, defeating Prof. Olusiji Sowande (FUNAAB), who polled 174
- Treasurer: Dr. Adamu Peter (Kaduna State University) – 296 votes, defeating Prof. Denis Aribodo (UNIZIK) – 106 votes
- Internal Auditor: Prof. Kasim Umar (University of Abuja) – 250 votes, defeating Chitta – 157 votes
- Financial Secretary: Dr. Happiness Uduk (University of Uyo) – 308 votes, defeating Prof. Monday Igbafen (Ambrose Alli University) – 97 votes
- Welfare Officer: Dr. Aisha Bawa (Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) – 411 votes (unopposed)
- Investment Secretary: Prof. Celestine Aguoru (FUAM) – 186 votes, followed by Salau – 150 and Prof. Olu-Olu Olufayo (EKSU) – 79 votes
Leadership Transition and Challenges
The new executives were sworn in immediately after the elections and have pledged to advance ASUU’s core mission. In a video that surfaced online, the officers, led by Piwuna, sang solidarity songs and vowed to defend the integrity of Nigeria’s university system.
The new leadership steps in during a turbulent period for Nigeria’s higher education sector, plagued by underfunding, brain drain, decaying infrastructure, and threats to university autonomy. The union has also been at loggerheads with the government over salary arrears and revitalization funds.
About the New President
Professor Piwuna holds an MBBS degree from the University of Jos (2000), a Master’s degree from the University of Malta, and is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians. He is also a member of the International Psychogeriatric Association. His colleagues describe him as progressive, disciplined, and committed to the ASUU struggle.
The newly elected officers are expected to bring renewed energy to ASUU’s negotiations with the federal government and drive reforms that address the pressing concerns of academic staff across Nigeria’s public universities.
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