The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has vehemently rejected the Federal Government’s newly introduced loan scheme for tertiary institution workers, branding it a deceptive and unhelpful measure. Instead of offering loans, ASUU insists the government should prioritize the implementation of the 2009 agreement, a long-standing point of contention between the two parties. The union’s president, Professor Christopher Piwuna, articulated this position during a press conference in Jos, Plateau State, characterizing the loan scheme as a “poisoned chalice” and urging ASUU members to refrain from participating. He argued that university staff already grapple with significant debt burdens and that the real need lies in improving their purchasing power through the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, not further indebtedness through loans.
The crux of ASUU’s grievance revolves around the government’s alleged failure to honor the 2009 agreement, which addresses critical aspects of the university system, including conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, funding, and the review of laws governing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). Professor Piwuna emphasized the protracted delays in renegotiating the agreement, despite the submission of the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Report in February 2025, a report presumably containing recommendations on the matter. This perceived foot-dragging by the government has fueled ASUU’s frustration, and they have issued a stern warning that a strike action may be inevitable if their demands continue to be ignored. The union president stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that time is running out and that university staff, who have tirelessly worked to sustain the tertiary education system, deserve better treatment.
Adding to the union’s discontent is the government’s perceived misplaced priorities. Professor Piwuna questioned the rationale behind introducing a loan scheme while university staff are still owed 3½ months’ salaries. He argued that the funds earmarked for the loan scheme should instead be used to defray the outstanding salaries. This further underscores ASUU’s contention that the government’s actions are not addressing the root causes of the challenges facing the university system. The government’s focus on loans appears, in ASUU’s view, to be a superficial solution that fails to address the fundamental issues of inadequate funding and poor working conditions.
ASUU has announced plans to mobilize its members for a series of campus rallies across the country, starting the following week. This action is intended to serve as a clear signal to the government of the union’s resolve. Professor Piwuna appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and urge the government to reconsider its approach and avoid pushing the union towards a strike. He emphasized the importance of collective bargaining and urged the government to return to this principle in addressing the issues outlined in the draft agreement. The union has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue, but the onus, according to ASUU, lies with the government to rebuild the eroded trust and avert a potentially disruptive strike.
ASUU’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is scheduled to meet following a planned government meeting on August 28, 2025. The outcome of the government meeting will be crucial in determining NEC’s subsequent course of action. The union leadership emphasized their determination to hold the government accountable for its pronouncements regarding its commitment to quality university education and adherence to collective agreements. They believe the government’s actions have undermined trust, and it is now incumbent upon the government to restore that trust through concrete action, not mere rhetoric.
In essence, the ongoing dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government centers on the latter’s perceived failure to prioritize the welfare of university staff and the overall health of the tertiary education system. ASUU’s rejection of the loan scheme stems from their belief that it is a superficial measure that fails to address the underlying issues of inadequate funding, poor working conditions, and the government’s alleged disregard for the 2009 agreement. The union’s planned rallies and the upcoming NEC meeting signify their determination to push for meaningful change and hold the government accountable for its commitments. The potential for a strike looms large, and the onus now lies with the government to engage in constructive dialogue and take concrete steps to address ASUU’s concerns and avert further disruption to the academic calendar.
