The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Calabar Zone has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposed Student Education Loan. In a press conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, ASUU described the loan scheme as oppressive, arguing that it could lead to perpetual debt, depression, and even suicide among students.
Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Happiness Uduk, conveyed the union’s discontent, stating, “It is disheartening that people who attended schools on scholarship, enjoyed meal subsidies, and bursary awards are the same making these policies. Their children study on scholarships at the best foreign universities, yet they impose a strangulating Education Loan on taxpayers’ children, enslaving them with lifelong debt.”
ASUU proposed that instead of providing loans, the Federal Government should invest in interventions within higher education institutions. This, according to Uduk, would lead to a positive turnaround, making these institutions self-reliant and providing highly subsidized tertiary education in Nigeria.
The union also urged the government to renegotiate agreements with ASUU, particularly those made by the Prof. Nimi Brigs-led Government committee. They pointed out the need for an updated salary structure for university lecturers in line with current economic realities.
Furthermore, ASUU condemned the unchecked proliferation of universities without adequate funding. They stressed the importance of implementing the 2020 ASUU-FGN Memorandum of Action (MoA), which calls for reviewing the NUC Act to prevent the reckless establishment of new universities.
“We urge the President Tinubu-led administration to stop the proliferation of universities and instead consolidate the existing ones. What we need are adequately equipped and empowered universities to address Nigeria’s challenges, not glorified schools,” the statement added.
ASUU also addressed the ongoing minimum wage negotiations, calling on the Federal Government to conclude discussions through collective bargaining. They argued that this would help mitigate the decline in Nigerians’ socio-economic conditions.
Additionally, the union calls for a critical review of all unworkable policies backed by international lenders like the World Bank and IMF, urging the government to reclaim the country’s sovereignty and restore public confidence.
Other demands by the union was that the government respect university autonomy, especially regarding policy, academic planning, and administration. They called for the reinstatement of suspended members in Ebonyi State University as ordered by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and demanded the immediate payment of outstanding salaries for academics.
ASUU has also warned that failure to meet these demands could result in an industrial action.
