The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticised the Federal Government’s recent decision to introduce a loan scheme for tertiary institution workers, describing it as a diversion from more pressing issues in the education sector.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, in an interview with Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, stated that what lecturers and other university staff truly need is a salary review that reflects Nigeria’s current economic realities. He said the cost of living has significantly increased, and many university workers are struggling to keep up.
He noted that offering loans is not a new concept, as most universities already operate internal loan arrangements for staff. The recently introduced loan programme, known as the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), is intended to enhance the welfare and financial stability of staff across colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, eligible academic and non-academic staff can access loans of up to ₦10 million, with the maximum amount based on 33.3 per cent of their gross annual salary.
However, Piwuna raised concerns about the effectiveness of the initiative, saying it may not serve the real needs of university staff. “This loan won’t solve our problems. Instead, it may worsen our situation, given the harsh economic climate,” he said.
He reiterated ASUU’s long-standing demand for improved remuneration and urged the government to prioritise fair compensation for academic staff over temporary loan solutions.
On the issue of withheld salaries, Piwuna also called on the Federal Government to pay the outstanding three-and-a-half months’ wages owed to lecturers since 2022. He stressed that the salaries were for work already done and should not be seen as a favour or a gift.
While acknowledging that a portion of the withheld salaries had been paid under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he appealed to the government to settle the remaining balance without further delay.
