ASUU PRESENTS NEW PRESIDENT, CALLS FOR REFORM IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP SELECTION
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged Nigeria’s political class to adopt its leadership selection process, describing it as a transparent, merit-based system worthy of emulation.
The Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Timothy Namo, made the call while addressing journalists at the University of Jos during the official presentation of the Union’s newly elected President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, to the university’s branch Congress.
“Our leadership process is very transparent. I want to challenge the Nigerian electoral system to study it,” Namo said, noting that ASUU’s internal electoral system allows only individuals who have served and earned the trust of members at both branch and national levels to attain leadership roles.
He emphasized that ASUU leaders are chosen based on proven contributions to the Union, not through self-declaration or financial strength. “If you come out openly to say you want to be a leader in ASUU, you are disqualified,” he added.
Addressing the challenges ahead, Namo pointed out that issues which led to ASUU’s eight-month strike in 2022 remain unresolved and called on the government to urgently address them. “The economic atmosphere in the country is demoralising, and the government needs to listen to us and address the problems affecting the university system,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairperson of ASUU’s University of Jos branch, Prof. Jurbe Mwolwus, said the Congress was convened to formally welcome Prof. Piwuna, who emerged as ASUU President at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Mwolwus hailed Piwuna’s election as historic for the UNIJOS branch, noting that it was the first time a member of the branch would head the Union nationally. He described the new ASUU President as honest, courageous, and emotionally intelligent, expressing confidence in his leadership.
Prof. Piwuna is expected to serve a two-year term.
