The Federal Government’s loan scheme for employees at tertiary institutions has been rejected by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which maintains that the government should instead carry out the 2009 agreement with the union.
This was announced Thursday at a press conference in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, by Prof. Christopher Piwuna, the union’s national president.
The higher Institutions personnel Support Fund, a welfare and empowerment program for academic and non-academic personnel in Nigeria’s higher institutions, was introduced by the Federal Government two weeks ago.
In a statement, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa said the fund was a direct reaction to the requirements of the country’s tertiary institution workers in terms of professional development and welfare.
However, at the press conference in Jos on Thursday, the president of ASUU called the loan plan a “poisoned chalice” and advised members to avoid it.
He said, “Our members do not lack where to find loans; indeed, they are already deep in debt from such loans.
“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 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”
Despite the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report’s submission in February 2025, Piwuna clarified that the government had been postponing the agreement’s revision.
The union threatened that they would be forced to go on strike if the government did not agree to their demands.
Piwuna reiterated, “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”
Along with criticizing the administration’s priorities, the union leader questioned why the government would launch a loan program with its members still owed three and a half months’ salary.
In the first attempt to challenge the government, the ASUU chairman urged its members to take part in a rally that will take place across campuses the following week.
