ASUU-ESUT Gets Substantive Chairman

ENUGU — Dr Andrew Apeh of the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), has been elected substantive Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ESUT branch.

Apeh, who had been acting chairman, emerged through a bye-election conducted at the university’s Main Campus, Agbani, and ESUT College of Medicine. He was the sole candidate and polled 161 of the 162 votes cast.

The election, supervised by the national body of ASUU, also produced Comrade Samuel Onyinyechi as Secretary with 161 votes; Comrade Chukwunweuba, Treasurer, 159; Comrade Vincent Aniogu, Financial Secretary, 159; and Comrade Maxwell Ugwuanyi, Internal Auditor, 157 votes.

Others elected were Comrade Nneka Mmaduagwu, Welfare Officer, with 158 votes, and Comrade Solomon Asogwa, Investment Officer, with 159 votes.

The election followed recent industrial disputes at ESUT, including a two-week warning strike by ASUU-ESUT over welfare issues and implementation of the FGN/ASUU agreement. The strike was suspended after a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding involving the Enugu State Government, ESUT management and the union.

Under the agreement, the Enugu State Government approved an additional N115 million monthly subvention for ESUT, raising its monthly funding from N161 million to N276 million. The agreement also provides for phased implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement through January 2027.

Speaking after his election, Apeh thanked members for their confidence and pledged to prioritise lecturers’ welfare, university autonomy and a conducive working environment.

“Our welfare is our fundamental right, and it must be addressed without politicisation. Your trust will not be taken for granted. This new mandate means more action and commitment,” he said.

He said the branch would establish a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the MoU, particularly on salary reviews, third-party deductions and payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowances.

Apeh also appealed to members to remain united and actively participate in union activities, saying collective action was essential to resolving outstanding challenges.

“I beg you for one thing: total support, advice. Let us not divide. Divided we beg. If we unite, everything that is ours must come to us,” he said.

Apeh succeeds Prof. Nnamani as substantive Chairman of ASUU-ESUT.