Abuja: Congress of University Academics (CONUA) University of Abuja Chapter has announced its commitment to prioritize constructive engagement over conflict in its union activities, focusing on evidence and strategy rather than emotion and reaction. Dr. Chukwuemeka Eke, Chairman of CONUA, UniAbuja Chapter, shared this vision at a seminar organized by the union in Abuja, themed ‘Creating a Virile Union- Leveraging Influence in an Academic Environment’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Eke highlighted the need for academic unions to adopt structured dialogue, professional communication, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure the future success of unionism. He argued that modern academic unions should be intellectually driven, adept in communication, and oriented towards development. He emphasized that a strong union is characterized not by noise or confrontation, but by intellectual depth, institutional influence, credibility, and constructive engagement.
Eke explained that the seminar aimed to explo
re strategies for positioning academic unionism within the University of Abuja and the broader CONUA community nationwide. He noted the chapter’s efforts to transform the union into a platform for responsible advocacy, policy clarity, and professional unionism.
In a related presentation, Prof. Awogbemi Adeyeye, Chairman of CONUA, National Mathematical Centre, discussed the importance of academic unionism in faculty welfare and institutional balance. He advocated for a model of unionism that is intellectually driven, governance-aware, welfare-focused, and productivity-conscious, emphasizing the role of unions in protecting staff, strengthening universities, and advancing national knowledge development.
Dr. Ezechimerem Ukauwa also addressed the seminar, discussing the significance of academic unionism for sustainable university development in Nigeria. He urged CONUA to continue championing the cause of Nigerian universities by collaborating with stakeholders to address challenges and drive development.
Mr. D
ayo Ogunsola, in his presentation, underscored the central role of academic unions in shaping institutional policy in modern universities. He argued that strategic, research-driven, and partnership-oriented approaches can transform the policy role of academic unions, making them less disruptive and more transformative.
Earlier during the seminar, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, praised the leadership of CONUA, UniAbuja Chapter for their foresight and intellectual courage. He acknowledged the seminar’s focus on academic unionism and institutional development as crucial, emphasizing the importance of co-owned policies for thriving universities. Prof. Fawehinmi noted that academic unions, due to their membership and expertise, are well-positioned to contribute significantly to policy formulation concerning teaching quality, research productivity, staff development, and governance reforms.