The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has firmly rejected the Federal Government’s newly introduced loan scheme for tertiary institution workers, demanding instead the full implementation of the 2009 agreement between the union and the government.
The union’s National President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, announced this position during a press conference held in Jos, Plateau State.
Professor Piwuna characterized the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, recently launched by the government as a welfare initiative, as a “poisoned chalice” and strongly advised union members to avoid participating in the program.
He emphasized that university staff already have access to various loan facilities and are burdened by existing debts. The fundamental need, according to the union, is for the government to sign the renegotiated agreement that would improve staff purchasing power and reduce reliance on debt.
The union leader criticized the government’s priorities, questioning the introduction of a loan scheme while staff members remain owed three and a half months’ salaries. He suggested that funds allocated for the loan program should instead be used to settle these outstanding salary payments.
ASUU is demanding implementation of the 2009 agreement, which addresses critical issues including conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, and adequate funding for universities.
Piwuna warned that the government’s continued delay in addressing these longstanding issues might leave the union with no alternative but to consider industrial action. He called on members to participate in planned campus rallies next week and urged well-meaning Nigerians to advise the government to return to negotiation principles to avoid disrupting academic activities across the nation’s universities.
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cc: Punch NG
