The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has disbursed scholarships worth ₦200,000 each to 164 indigent students across various public universities in Nigeria as part of its 2024 scholarship programme.
The announcement was made on Saturday by Professor Christopher Piwuna, Convener of the ASUU Grant, Research and Publications Committee, during a press briefing held at the Yuli Campus of Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State. Piwuna was represented by the former ASUU Bauchi-Zone Coordinator, Dr. Lawan Abubakar.
According to Piwuna, the recipients were drawn from 79 ASUU branches, with two students selected from each university through a competitive and transparent screening process. He emphasized that the selection process considered gender balance and included physically challenged students, in a bid to promote inclusive access to tertiary education.
“Each of the 164 beneficiaries received a non-refundable grant of ₦200,000 to support their education. This initiative is part of ASUU’s longstanding commitment to advancing access to higher education among underprivileged students,” he said.
He added that over the past two years, the union has spent approximately ₦164.8 million on similar scholarship interventions.
Professor Piwuna noted that ASUU’s scholarship initiative is separate from its continued management of the Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship Scheme. He explained that the creation of the ASUU grant stemmed from the union’s resolve to respond to the rising cost of education, especially the increase in tuition and service charges imposed on students.
“We believe support for indigent students should come in the form of grants, not loans,” he said. “Unlike government schemes like NELFUND, our grants are not to be repaid. We want students and their parents to focus on education, not future debt.”
Applicants for the ASUU scholarship are required to demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence, with emphasis placed on a strong Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
