The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has made it clear that it will not accept the Federal Government’s newly introduced loan scheme for tertiary institution workers. Instead, ASUU says no to FG loan scheme and insists on strike action if the government fails to honour the 2009 agreement signed with the union.
Speaking at a press conference in Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday, ASUU National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, described the loan plan as a “poisoned chalice” and urged members to shun it. He argued that what lecturers need is not another debt trap but full implementation of their long-negotiated agreement.
ASUU Insists on Strike Action Over Unmet Demands
According to Piwuna, the union’s demands cover conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, funding, and a review of the laws governing JAMB and NUC. He stressed that the Federal Government had been stalling the renegotiation process despite receiving the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report earlier this year.
“Our members do not lack where to find loans; indeed, they are already deep in debt from such loans,” he said. “What we need now is for government to sign our renegotiated agreement, which will improve our purchasing power and decrease our reliance on debts from cooperative societies.”
The ASUU leader warned that if the government fails to act, the union will be left with no choice but to embark on strike action. “Time is running out. We will no longer tolerate a situation where those who fought for the sustenance of the universities will be treated with such disdain,” he said.
Why ASUU Says No to FG Loan Scheme
The Federal Government had earlier launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, describing it as a welfare initiative aimed at supporting academic and non-academic staff across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the programme was designed to boost welfare and professional growth.
But ASUU rejected the initiative outright, insisting that the same funds could be better used to settle the 3½ months’ salaries still being withheld from its members. Piwuna openly criticised the government’s priorities, saying, “Government should use the money set aside for the loans to defray our withheld salaries.”
The union further announced that members would hold rallies across campuses next week as part of their mobilisation efforts. NEC, the highest decision-making body of ASUU, is also set to meet on August 28 to decide the next line of action.
FG Loan Scheme vs 2009 Agreement: The Real Issue
ASUU says no to FG loan scheme because the union believes it is a distraction from the real issues that have plagued university education for years. The 2009 agreement remains the focal point, and until it is implemented, the union maintains that talk of loan schemes will not address the root problems.
Piwuna said, “We are determined to end the pronouncements by government claiming commitment to sound university education and fidelity to collective agreement. Trust has been destroyed by government, it is, therefore, up to them to regain it to avert any strike.”
ASUU Says No to FG Loan Scheme and Warns of Strike
With ASUU saying no to FG loan scheme and insisting on strike action, the stage is set for another clash between the government and university lecturers. For ASUU, the matter goes beyond loans; it is about respect, trust, and the future of public education in Nigeria. Unless the government takes decisive steps, another round of industrial action seems inevitable, and this time the union is prepared to push back harder.
