By Jacinta Nwachukwu/Uche Bibilari
Congress of University Academics (CONUA) University of Abuja Chapter, says it will prioritise constructive engagement over conflict, evidence over emotion and strategy over reaction in its union activities.
The Chairman, CONUA, UniAbuja Chapter, Dr Chukwuemeka Eke stated this at a seminar-series of the union in Abuja with the theme: “Creating a Virile Union- Leveraging Influence in an Academic Environment”.
Eke emphasised the importance of labour unions embracing structured dialogue, professional communication and stakeholders collaboration for the future of unionism.
He said modern academic unions must be intellectually driven, communication-smart and development- oriented.
According to him, a virile union is not defined by noise, confrontation or visibility alone but by intellectual depth, institutional influence, credibility and constructive engagement.
“In the modern university system, influence is built not only through agitation but through ideas, research dialogue, data and solution-driven engagement with management and government,” he said.
He said the chapter’s leadership has worked to reposition the union as a platform of responsible advocacy, policy clarity and professional unionism.
Eke explained that the aim of the seminar was to deliberate on ways to position academic unionism within the University of Abuja and the broader CONUA community nationwide.
Similarly, the Chairman, CONUA, National Mathematical Centre,(NMC) Prof. Awogbemi Adeyeye in a paper titled: “Impact of Academic Unionism on Faculty Welfare and Productivity” said academic unionism remained indispensable to faculty welfare and institutional balance.
Adeyeye said the union of the future must be intellectually driven, governance-aware, welfare-focused and productivity-conscious.
“The task before us is therefore clear, to build a model of academic unionism that protects staff, strengthens universities and advances national knowledge development”, he said.
Dr Ezechimerem Ukauwa in his paper: “Harnessing Academic Unionism for Sustainable University Development in Nigeria Development’ said that academic unionism is crucial to sustainable university development.
According to him, CONUA must continue to champion the cause of Nigerian universities, working with stakeholders to address challenges and drive development.
Mr Dayo Ogunsola in his paper, ‘Academic Unionism and Institutional Development’ stressed that academic unions are central actors in shaping institutional policy in modern universities through collective voice, academic freedom protection among others.
“When unions adopt strategic, research-driven and partnership-oriented approaches their policy role becomes transformative rather than disruptive.
“The future of institutional development in higher education depends significantly on how effectively academic unions engage policy processes with responsibility, expertise and vision”, he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi commended the leadership of CONUA, UniAbuja Chapter for their foresight and intellectual courage.
He said the seminar signaled a commitment to thought leadership in academic unionism.
“This seminar’s focus on academic unionism and institutional development is particularly important.
“Universities thrive when policies are co-owned,” he said.
Fawehinmi noted that academic unions, by virtue of their membership and expertise, are well positioned to contribute meaningfully to policy formulation on teaching quality, research productivity, staff development and governance reforms.
“A virile union understands that its relevance is enhanced when it helps shape institutional direction rather than merely react to administrative decisions,” the VC added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
