The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appointed Prof. Chris Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist from the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, as its new president. The election took place during the 23rd National Delegates Congress held in Benin on Sunday, signaling a fresh chapter for the union.

Prof. Piwuna, who also serves as the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, succeeds Prof. Victor Osodeke, a Professor of Soil Science at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. Piwuna won the election after a competitive race against Prof. Adamu Babayo from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, securing a significant victory.

Leadership Change Amidst Rising Concerns

The election of Prof. Piwuna comes at a time when ASUU is grappling with a series of challenges within Nigeria’s higher education sector. Among the key issues are the unresolved distribution of the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) recently released by the Federal Government, the escalating brain drain affecting universities, and the ongoing tensions surrounding the working conditions of academic staff.

The leadership change is seen as pivotal, especially considering the mounting pressure on ASUU to address these pressing concerns. The new president, Prof. Piwuna, faces the difficult task of uniting the union’s members and negotiating effectively with the government to resolve these disputes, all while safeguarding the interests of Nigerian academics and students.

As the union transitions under new leadership, stakeholders are keenly watching to see how Prof. Piwuna will navigate the complex landscape of university education and labor relations in Nigeria. His ability to tackle these long-standing issues could have a profound impact on the future of the academic community and the overall quality of education in the country.