Christopher Piwuna Emerges as New ASUU President Amid Growing Tensions in Nigerian Universities

Professor Christopher Piwuna, a seasoned psychiatrist and academic from the University of Jos, has been elected the new president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), taking over from Emmanuel Osodeke, the immediate past president.

Osodeke confirmed Piwuna’s emergence in a telephone interview with BusinessDay, though the union has yet to issue an official statement on the development. Piwuna clinched the top position after defeating Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State, in a tightly contested election held during ASUU’s 23rd National Delegates Congress at the University of Benin, which concluded on Monday, May 12.

Described by a source as “much more progressive but very disciplined, exposed, and a comrade in its true sense,” Piwuna steps into leadership at a critical juncture for the union. His tenure begins amid mounting tensions in Nigeria’s public university system, including concerns over the disbursement of recently released earned academic allowances and persistent issues of brain drain among academic staff.

Piwuna, who holds a degree in Medicine (MBBS) from the University of Jos (2000) and a master’s certificate from the University of Malta, is not new to university leadership. He previously served as Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Jos and has earned respect as a committed academic and administrator.

ASUU, known for its vocal advocacy and frequent confrontations with the Nigerian government over university funding and staff welfare, may soon be headed for another round of industrial action, sources say. The union has yet to respond officially to these speculations or to formally present Piwuna to the public.

As the academic community and stakeholders await formal communication from ASUU, attention now shifts to how Piwuna will steer the union in what promises to be a challenging period for Nigerian higher education.

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