By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Professor Chris Piwuna is set to take over leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) this week, succeeding Professor Emmanuel Osodeke.
Piwuna, the newly elected President, emerged victorious at the 23rd National Delegates Congress in Benin City, defeating Professor Adamu Babayo.
As the Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Jos and a Consultant Psychiatrist, Piwuna is expected to prioritize long-standing demands from the federal government.
The transition is slated for completion before Thursday at ASUU’s National Headquarters in the University of Abuja. Despite government claims of meeting 80% of ASUU’s demands, the union says that key issues remain unresolved. These include university autonomy, increased funding, payment of outstanding academic allowances and improved salaries.
The last major industrial action in 2022 lasted eight months due to non-implementation of agreed terms. Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration enforced a No-Work-No-Pay policy, withholding salaries during the strike. ASUU’s demands were part of a broader protest involving other university unions.
Former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced a 35% salary increase for public tertiary institution workers, payment of four months’ withheld salaries, and university autonomy. However, Osodeke dismissed these claims, saying, “No single issue has been permanently resolved by this government since it came on board. We are still telling the same old story, whereas the rich keep sending their wards abroad to study and return afterwards to take up lucrative positions, while indigent children continue to suffer.”
The dissolution of governing councils in federal universities led to controversy, making ASUU threaten industrial action. President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of governing board appointments may help address ASUU’s concerns. With Piwuna as the new president, expectations are high for renewed momentum in ASUU’s demands and government action to prevent further disruptions in public universities.
