The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s proposed Student Education Loan, denouncing it as a strategic ploy to perpetually enslave Nigerian students and burden them with lifelong indebtedness.
Dr. Happiness Uduk, the Zonal Chairperson of ASUU, conveyed the union’s stance during a press conference held in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday.
Uduk emphasized the union’s unwavering commitment to resist what she described as “obnoxious policies” aimed at subjecting students to financial servitude.
“It is disheartening that those who benefited from scholarships, meal subsidies, and other forms of assistance during their education are now the architects of oppressive policies,” Uduk remarked, highlighting the hypocrisy of policymakers imposing burdens on students while neglecting their responsibility to adequately fund higher education institutions.
In a joint statement signed by eight union Chairpersons, ASUU proposed alternative strategies for enhancing tertiary education in Nigeria, advocating for government interventions in higher institutions to foster self-reliance and ensure affordable education for all.
“We vehemently condemn the idea of Education Loans and assert that redirecting funds towards intervention in higher institutions will yield positive outcomes, making tertiary education more accessible and affordable,” Uduk asserted.
The ASUU leader urged the Federal Government to initiate a renegotiation process and reconvene a committee to review previous agreements, particularly concerning the salary structure for university lecturers.
She underscored the importance of aligning policies with current economic realities to ensure fair compensation for educators.
Furthermore, ASUU criticized the unchecked proliferation of universities in Nigeria without commensurate funding, calling for a consolidation of existing institutions to enhance their effectiveness in addressing national challenges.
“We urge the government to focus on equipping and empowering existing universities rather than establishing new ones,” Uduk emphasized.
Addressing ongoing minimum wage negotiations, ASUU urged the government to prioritize collective bargaining to mitigate the adverse impact of economic downturns on citizens’ livelihoods.
In a broader context, the union called for a reevaluation of policies influenced by international financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF, advocating for measures to reclaim Nigeria’s sovereignty and restore public confidence.
ASUU also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the autonomy of universities and ensuring the prompt payment of outstanding salaries to academic staff across all institutions. Failure to address these concerns, the union warned, could precipitate industrial action as a last resort to compel government action.
As ASUU continues to champion the interests of educators and students nationwide, its stance underscores the ongoing struggle to uphold academic integrity, financial sustainability, and social justice within Nigeria’s higher education landscape.