The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has opposed the Federal Government’s proposed student loan, describing it as strangulating and capable of subjecting benefiting students to perpetual debt, depression, and even suicide, News About Nigeria reports.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Monday, Zonal Coordinator Happiness Uduk, flanked by all Chapter Chairmen of the zone, stated that those who benefitted from scholarships, meal subsidies, and bursary awards during their own education are now enacting policies detrimental to current students.
Uduk, in a statement jointly signed by the eight union chairpersons, argued that instead of providing loans, the Federal Government should invest the money in higher education institutions to enable them to become self-reliant and offer highly subsidised education.
“To this end, we vehemently condemn the idea of education loans and state clearly that using the money for intervention in higher institutions will be about a positive turn-around of events that will make our institutions self-reliant on highly subsidised tertiary education in Nigeria,” Uduk said.
On the ongoing minimum wage negotiation, ASUU Calabar Zone urged the Federal Government to use collective bargaining to conclude the social dialogue, which would alleviate the socio-economic decline affecting Nigerians.
Furthermore, ASUU called for a critical review of all unworkable policies and programmes sponsored by international money lenders such as the World Bank and IMF to reclaim Nigeria’s sovereignty and restore public confidence.
The union also advised the government and its agencies to respect the autonomy of universities, particularly regarding policy, academic planning, and administration.
They demanded the recall of suspended members at Ebonyi State University in compliance with the National Industrial Court of Nigeria’s orders and the immediate payment of outstanding salaries to academics across all institutions.
Failure to meet these demands, ASUU warned, might result in industrial action, since that is the only language the government understands.
ASUU also called on the Federal Government to renegotiate and adjust the agreement reached between ASUU leadership and the Prof. Nimi Briggs-led government committee to reflect current economic realities, thereby ensuring an acceptable salary structure for university lecturers.
