The Academic Staff Union of Universities has rejected the Federal Government’s loan scheme for tertiary institution workers, insisting that the government should instead implement the 2009 agreement with the union.
The union also called on the FG to extend its ban on the establishment of new universities to include private schools.
Christopher Piwuna, ASUU president, spoke of the union’s pressing demands at a conference on Thursday at the University of Jos.
He warned of a potential nationwide strike if the government fails to address them.
Remember that the FG recently launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, a welfare and empowerment initiative for academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in a statement, said that the fund was a direct response to the welfare and professional growth needs of the nation’s tertiary institution workforce.
However, ASUU’s president described the loan scheme as a “poisoned chalice” and urged members to stay away from it. He said the government should instead approve the renegotiated agreement to improve the purchasing power of their members and reduce their reliance on debts.
“The union is demanding the implementation of the 2009 agreement, which includes issues like conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, funding of universities, and review of laws governing JAMB and NUC”, he said.
Piwuna emphasized that the government had been delaying the renegotiation of the agreement, despite the submission of the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report in February 2025.
The union warned that if the government fails to address their demands, they may have no other option than to embark on a strike action.
The union leader also criticised the government’s priorities, questioning why it would introduce a loan scheme when the union’s members are still owed 3½ months’ salaries.
“Government should use the money set aside for the loans to defray our withheld salaries,” he said.
The ASUU leader called on its members to participate in a rally across campuses next week, which will be the first shot at the government.
He also urged well-meaning Nigerians to advise the government not to stampede the union into any action.
“Trust has been destroyed by the government, it is therefore up to them to regain it to avert any strike,” the ASUU president added.
