The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the loan scheme proposed for its members by the Federal Government, describing it as a “Greek gift” that lecturers are not willing to accept.
The stance was made public by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of ASUU during a special congress held on Tuesday. The union also resolved to stand firmly behind the steps and actions being outlined by its national leadership in the ongoing struggle to secure the fulfilment of its demands.
During the congress, members of the branch marched across the UNILAG campus from the Main Gate in solidarity before being addressed by the Branch Chairman, Prof. Idowu Kehinde.
Prof. Kehinde stressed that the government’s loan initiative was unnecessary if lecturers were paid their rightful entitlements. According to him, providing university staff with a living wage and releasing owed allowances would eliminate the need for borrowing.
“The loans are to be guaranteed by our union. This is not necessary. The Governing Council of each university can provide loans to members based on conditions of service. If we are paid a living wage and if all our allowances are settled as expected, who would want to go borrowing money? Let the government do the needful and we will be okay,” he said.
