The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned its officials against using the union’s name or platform to endorse political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The union has reaffirmed its apolitical position, insisting that while members are free to exercise their voting rights, nobody has the authority to present personal political preferences as ASUU’s official position.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, issued the warning on Thursday during the union’s 2026 Heroes’ Day celebration in Abuja, according to Arise News.
Piwuna said members remained free to participate in the electoral process but must keep their individual political interests separate from the union’s activities.
He warned that officials who ignored the directive and used their positions to promote political interests would face disciplinary action.
“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.
The union president stressed that ASUU would not support any candidate, regardless of the political party or level of government involved.
He added that union leaders were expected to lead by example and avoid activities that could compromise the organisation’s neutrality.
“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,” Piwuna declared.
The warning comes as political activities gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections, with growing attention on the involvement of professional bodies and associations in partisan campaigns.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, commended ASUU for its contributions to Nigeria’s university system.
Ahmad acknowledged the union’s consistent advocacy for improved university funding, better working conditions for lecturers and higher standards in tertiary education.
She also described the renegotiated ASUU-Federal Government agreement as evidence of the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of university workers.
According to her, the agreement would help promote industrial harmony and improve teaching, learning and research across Nigerian universities.
