Chris Piwuna Elected New ASUU President, Succeeds Emmanuel Osodeke
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Professor Chris Piwuna, a seasoned psychiatrist and academic leader, as its new national president, following a tightly contested election during the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State.
Piwuna, who previously served as ASUU’s national vice president, emerged victorious after a four-day election spanning May 8 to 12. He succeeds Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who confirmed the election results to TheCable on Monday.
Though the union has yet to release an official statement, Osodeke noted that a formal press release is expected soon.
Professor Piwuna, a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) Teaching Hospital and former head of its psychiatry unit, brings decades of academic and clinical experience to his new role. He is widely respected in the field of geriatric mental health, with multiple peer-reviewed publications focusing on the quality of life in older adults.
A proud alumnus of UNIJOS, where he earned his MBBS in 2000, Piwuna later obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Malta in 2013. He is also a fellow of the West African College of Physicians and a member of the International Psychogeriatric Association.
He becomes the 14th president in ASUU’s history, defeating Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in a vote that reflects the union’s ongoing commitment to strong, research-driven leadership.
As ASUU navigates continuing challenges in Nigeria’s higher education system, all eyes will now be on Piwuna to lead with both expertise and integrity.
