Just In: ASUU Condemns Federal Government’s Student Loan, Calls It A Scheme To Enslave Students (Details)

Just In: ASUU Condemns Federal Government’s Student Loan, Calls It A Scheme To Enslave Students (Details)

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has expressed strong reservations about the Federal Government’s recently introduced student loan, labeling it a scheme designed to enslave Nigerian students and keep them perpetually indebted.

The student loan initiative officially began last Friday, with the portal for loan applications opening. According to Ireporteronline, over 3,764 students from 126 institutions applied on the first day. The Federal Government claims the loan is meant to ensure that no Nigerian youth is denied higher education due to lack of funds.

However, at a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, ASUU Zonal Chairperson Dr. Happiness Uduk condemned the loan, asserting it is a tactic to burden Nigerian youths. Uduk criticized the current leaders, who had benefited from scholarships and other subsidies during their education, for now imposing loans on students.

“Their children are on scholarship in the best foreign universities in the world but after siphoning our economy, they turn around to impose a strangulating education loan on taxpayers’ children who will be enslaved and remain indebted to the country forever,” Uduk stated. She highlighted potential adverse effects such as depression, suicide, and a significant loss of intellectuals due to the scheme.

ASUU National President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke has also criticized the loan, advocating instead for bursaries. Uduk, along with eight union chairpersons, suggested that government funding should focus on subventions to higher institutions, which would result in a positive transformation of tertiary education.

In her statement, Uduk urged the Federal Government to renegotiate with ASUU, addressing current economic realities to establish an acceptable salary structure for university lecturers. She also condemned the proliferation of universities without proper funding, urging the government to review the NUC Act to curb the excessive establishment of new universities.

“We urge the President Tinubu-led administration to refrain from further proliferation of universities and rather consolidate on the already existing ones. What we need are universities that are adequately equipped and empowered to address the challenges confronting Nigeria, not glorified schools,” she said.

Regarding the ongoing minimum wage negotiation, ASUU Calabar Zone called on the Federal Government to conclude the social dialogue through collective bargaining to mitigate the socio-economic decline affecting Nigerians.

Published By: Destiny.Jnr