The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned its officials against using the union’s name, position or platform to endorse political candidates and parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union said it would maintain a neutral position throughout the election period and would not support any politician seeking elective office, regardless of their political party or political interests.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, issued the warning during the union’s 2026 Heroes’ Day celebration held in Abuja on Thursday.
He made it clear that no member or official had the authority to present personal political preferences as the position of the union.
Piwuna also warned that any official who disregarded the directive and used the organisation to promote a political party or candidate would face disciplinary action.
The ASUU president explained that the union’s decision to remain apolitical did not mean its members were prohibited from participating in the democratic process.
He noted that lecturers and other members of the organisation remained free to vote, support candidates in their personal capacities and exercise their constitutional rights during the elections.
However, he maintained that such activities must not be carried out in the name of ASUU or presented as an official endorsement by the union.
He said, “As far as the 2027 elections are concerned, we will not ask our members to abdicate their constitutional right to vote or participate in the process.
“However, no member of our union has permission to use the name of ASUU to support any candidate or political party.
“We remain apolitical, and we are not supporting any candidate. Any official of our union found hobnobbing with political parties or individuals in a manner that compromises this position will face action because our leaders are supposed to lead by example.”
The union leader stressed that the directive applied to all its officials, particularly those occupying leadership positions at the national, state and branch levels.
He said ASUU expected its leaders to protect the organisation’s integrity and avoid actions that could create the impression that the union had aligned itself with a particular political interest.
Piwuna further explained that ASUU would not associate itself with any individual contesting an election, irrespective of the person’s political affiliation, position or level of government they intended to serve.
He insisted that the union’s position was not limited to the 2027 presidential election but covered all elective positions across the country.
“ASUU is not supporting any political party. I repeat, ASUU is not supporting any individual standing for election anywhere, today, tomorrow or the day after. We remain apolitical,” he added.
The warning also places responsibility on union officials to ensure that their personal political engagements do not create confusion about the organisation’s position.
ASUU has remained an important voice in discussions about Nigeria’s education sector, particularly issues surrounding university funding, lecturers’ welfare, working conditions, research facilities and the general state of public universities.
Its relationship with successive federal governments has also attracted national attention, especially during periods of disagreement over the implementation of agreements, salaries, funding and other conditions of service.
The union has repeatedly engaged the government over policies affecting university education and the welfare of academic staff. Its interventions have often placed it at the centre of discussions about the future of Nigeria’s higher education system.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, who also spoke at the Heroes’ Day celebration, commended the union for its contributions to the development of university education in the country.
Ahmad acknowledged the role ASUU had played in drawing attention to challenges affecting tertiary institutions.
She particularly recognised the union’s efforts towards improved funding, better working conditions for university lecturers and the delivery of quality higher education.
The minister also spoke about the renegotiated agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government, describing it as evidence of the government’s willingness to address some of the concerns raised by university workers.
She said the agreement reflected efforts to improve relations between the government and the academic community while creating conditions that would support effective teaching, learning and research in Nigerian universities.
