Profile of ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna

Professor Chris Goson Piwuna is a prominent Nigerian psychiatrist, academic, and unionist whose work bridges healthcare and higher education.

He has been elected as the new national president of the Academic staff union of universities (ASUU).

Prior to this role, he served as ASUU’s Vice President, Internal Auditor, and Chairman of the University of Jos chapter, showing his deep-rooted commitment to academic activism.

Here’s what you should know about him.

1. Background: Born in Jos, North-Central Nigeria, he has dedicated his career to improving mental health care, especially for older adults, while actively advocating for the rights of university lecturers through the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

2. Education: He holds an MBBS degree from the University of Jos (2000), an MSc in Aging from the University of Malta (2013), and is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP, 2008).

3. Professional bodies: A member of the International Psychogeriatric Association, Professor Piwuna also serves as a senior lecturer at the University of Jos and a consultant psychiatrist at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

4. Family: He is married and a proud father of three children.

5. Career experience: As head of the psychogeriatric unit at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Piwuna focuses on mental health issues affecting older adults.

His clinical work addresses conditions such as dementia, depression, and late-onset psychosis. He also educates upcoming psychiatrists as a senior lecturer at the University of Jos.

Motivated by personal experience with his father’s dementia, Professor Piwuna pursued further studies in geriatrics and gerontology at the University of Malta.

Upon his return to Nigeria, he founded a geriatric hospital in Jos, offering specialized care tailored to the needs of older adults in the region.

6. Research works: With more than 550 citations to his name, Professor Piwuna has made significant academic contributions in the field of old age psychiatry.

His research includes studies on the mental health of elderly populations and the dangers of misinformation in public health contexts.

7. Advocacy: Beyond his hospital and classroom roles, Professor Piwuna is a vocal advocate for the elderly.

He regularly campaigns for free healthcare access and affordable housing for older Nigerians, pushing for inclusive policies that support the dignity and quality of life for senior citizens.

8. ASUU leadership: In May 2025, Professor Piwuna was elected as the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigeria’s leading academic union.