The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned its officials against using the organisation’s name or platform to endorse political parties or candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, declaring that it will remain politically neutral.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, said no member had the authority to promote a political party or candidate in the name of the union, adding that officials who breach the directive would face disciplinary action.
Piwuna stated this on Thursday, November 12, at the union’s 2026 Heroes’ Day celebration in Abuja, where he reaffirmed ASUU’s position as an apolitical organisation ahead of the elections.
He, however, clarified that the union’s neutrality would not prevent individual members from exercising their constitutional rights to vote or participate in the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
Piwuna stressed that members must distinguish between their personal political choices and the official position of the union.
He warned that any official found associating with political parties or individuals in a manner that compromises ASUU’s neutrality would face disciplinary action.
“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 ASUU president said.
He further declared that the union would not identify with any individual seeking elective office, regardless of the person's political affiliation or the level of government involved.
“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 declaration draws a distinction between the political rights of ASUU members as individuals and the union’s institutional position. While lecturers can vote, campaign or participate in the electoral process in their personal capacities, Piwuna said they cannot use their union positions or ASUU’s identity to suggest that the organisation has endorsed a candidate.
The position comes as political activities increase ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and prospective candidates beginning preparations for the polls. It also comes amid wider discussions about the role of professional and membership organisations in political campaigns.
ASUU’s Heroes’ Day celebration also featured discussions on electoral integrity. The union’s choice of the subject for its 2026 lecture was deliberate, with the event intended to encourage conversations about credible, transparent and honest elections.
The annual Heroes’ Day commemorates the contributions and sacrifices of individuals who have supported the union and the development of Nigeria’s university system.
The event also provided an opportunity for the Federal Government to acknowledge ASUU’s role in advocating improved funding, better working conditions for lecturers and higher standards in university education.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, commended the union for its contributions to the development of Nigeria’s university system.
Ahmad acknowledged ASUU’s advocacy for improved funding, better working conditions for academic staff and quality higher education.
She also pointed to the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU as evidence of efforts to address the concerns of university workers and strengthen industrial relations in the education sector.
According to her, the agreement demonstrates the government's commitment to promoting industrial harmony and improving teaching, learning and research in tertiary institutions.
The Federal Government and ASUU signed and unveiled the renegotiated 2025 agreement in January 2026. The agreement followed negotiations aimed at addressing longstanding issues between the government and the union and improving stability in public universities.
The government subsequently inaugurated an implementation monitoring committee in June 2026 to oversee the agreement's implementation and promote accountability.
Ahmad's remarks at the Heroes’ Day celebration come as the government and the union continue to focus on the implementation of the agreement and efforts to improve conditions in the country's public university system.
Piwuna did not suggest that ASUU members should withdraw from political participation. Rather, his warning focused on the use of the union's name and authority to promote partisan interests.
His position means that any political endorsement by an ASUU member must remain a personal decision and cannot be presented as an endorsement by the union.
The union has therefore ruled out backing any candidate or political party in the 2027 elections, while maintaining that its members retain their individual rights to participate in the democratic process.
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