The Academic Staff Union of Universities has elected a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Prof. Chris Piwuna, as its next president.

Piwuna, who is also the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, takes over from Victor Osodeke, a Professor of Soil Science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

The decision was taken at the 23rd National Delegates Congress of the Union, which took place in Benin on Sunday.

The election was contested between Piwuna and Prof. Adamu Babayo from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, according to verified sources familiar with the development.

Piwuna’s assumption of office comes amidst widespread speculations of industrial action following issues surrounding the sharing formula of the Earned Academic Allowances recently released by the Federal Government of Nigeria, brain drain, among others.

Key issues fueling these concerns include disputes over the sharing formula of the Earned Academic Allowances recently released by the Federal Government, as well as concerns over the ongoing brain drain affecting Nigeria’s academic sector.