The newly elected President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Chris Piwuna, has cautioned the Federal Government against implementing student loan schemes in a struggling economy, warning that such policies ignore the grim realities Nigerian students face.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Piwuna criticised the government’s persistent neglect of the 2009 ASUU agreement, stressing that without urgent attention to staff welfare and university funding, another round of industrial action may be unavoidable.
“The 2009 agreement was due for review in 2012. It’s now 2025, and nothing has changed,” he said. “That agreement could have addressed systemic issues in the university system, including staff salaries and institutional governance.”
While he didn’t confirm an impending strike, Piwuna noted that industrial action remains a fundamental right of labour. “Strike is always on the table not just for ASUU but for any union. The question is whether we are forced to use it, which depends on the government’s sincerity.”
On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the ASUU president described the policy as unrealistic in the current economic climate.
“You can’t give loans to students when the job market is practically nonexistent. It’s unfair to expect young people to repay what they may never earn,” he argued, advocating instead for grants and scholarships, which he said align with global standards in education funding.
Piwuna also criticised the Federal Government’s decision to halt the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme, saying it deprives Nigerian students of critical international exposure.
“Education is a global enterprise. Scrapping the BEA scheme reflects short-term thinking and political expediency, not a strategic vision,” he said.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the N50 billion disbursed for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), Piwuna maintained that ASUU has no objection to the agreed payment formula.
“We had a clear understanding with the government on the disbursement. If other unions have concerns, they should take them up with the government directly.”
On the growing issue of cultism on campuses, Piwuna blamed the worsening economy for driving students into harmful associations.
“When students are desperate, they become vulnerable. Government must improve both the economy and learning environments to address this,” he said, urging university authorities to be more proactive in prevention and intervention.
He also expressed deep concern over the mass exodus of academic staff, citing poor working conditions and inadequate infrastructure.
“Lecturers are leaving in droves because they’re undervalued and underpaid. If the government is serious about retaining talent, it knows what to do we’ve told them countless times.”
Regarding the emergence of the rival union, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Piwuna downplayed the division, describing it as an internal issue ASUU would handle as a “family matter.”
ASUU, he added, is still waiting for a formal response from the Federal Government following its recent ultimatum.
“We’re waiting. But Nigerians must understand: when we act and the government remains silent, the blame should not fall on us,” he concluded.
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