The Academic Staff Union of Universities has elected Professor Chris Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, as its new president. Piwuna, who also serves as the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, took over from Professor Victor Osodeke, a professor of soil science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
The election was held at the 23rd National Delegates Congress of the Union in Benin on Sunday, where Piwuna defeated Professor Adamu Babayo from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Piwuna’s assumption of office comes amidst widespread speculation of industrial action due to disputes over the sharing formula of the Earned Academic Allowances recently released by the Federal Government of Nigeria and concerns over the ongoing brain drain affecting Nigeria’s academic sector.
Notably, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, announced on April 23, 2025, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved N50 billion to clear unpaid allowances of university workers.
