UNIJOS Professor Chris Piwuna Elected As New ASUU President

Chris Piwuna, a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, has been elected the new President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Chris Piwuna, who previously served as ASUU’s National Vice President and also as Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, takes over from Emmanuel Osodeke.

His election was held during the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress at the University of Benin in Edo State on Sunday, May 11, 2024.

Reports say the election was a close contest between Piwuna and Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi.

His leadership comes at a time when tension is growing over issues in Nigeria’s university system, including concerns about the Federal Government’s handling of Earned Academic Allowances, ongoing brain drain, and other unresolved problems.

Other elected members of ASUU’s new leadership team include Austen Sado as Vice President, Happiness Uduk as Financial Secretary, Peter Adamu as Treasurer, Celestine Aguoru as Investment Secretary, Aisha Bawa as Welfare Officer, and Kassim Umar as Internal Auditor.

Outgoing President Emmanuel Osodeke, who led the union from May 2021 to May 2025, is known for his firm stance against government policies like the IPPIS payroll system and his push for improved funding and greater autonomy for universities.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2023 at the union’s conference in Jos.

KanyiDaily recalls that ASUU recently appealed to President Bola Tinubu to transform the recently assented Students Loans Act into grants specifically designed for indigent students.