‘Poison chalice’, Sokoto ASUU rejects FG’s loan scheme

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has strongly rejected the Federal Government’s proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), describing it as a “poison chalice” designed to impoverish university workers further rather than address their legitimate demands.

Speaking at a press conference in Sokoto on Thursday, Zonal Coordinator of the Union, Prof. Abubakar Sabo, said the government’s push for lecturers to obtain loans was an insult, especially when outstanding salaries and arrears remain unpaid.

“Our members do not lack sources for loans; many are already deep in debt. What we need is for the government to sign our renegotiated agreement, which will improve our purchasing power and decrease our reliance on debt,” Prof Sabo declared.

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The ASUU leader accused the government of attempting to use loans as bait while ignoring the three and a half months of withheld salaries and other unresolved issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, revitalisation of universities, and payment of promotion arrears.

He warned that the loan scheme would cripple university cooperative societies and leave lecturers in perpetual financial bondage.

“After deductions for union dues, NHIS, pension contributions, and cooperatives, nothing would be left for the family. How can the government ask us to take loans to pay for our healthcare and children’s school fees?” he queried.

ASUU maintained that the funds earmarked for the loan should instead be used to pay withheld salaries and fulfil existing agreements.

The union emphasized that its members deserve fair wages and improved working conditions, not debt traps.

The Sokoto Zone comprises Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Katsina, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Sokoto State University, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Federal University Gusau, Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto, and the Federal University of Agriculture Zuru.

Prof Sabo cautioned that unless the Federal Government urgently addresses these issues, the union may have no choice but to take decisive action, noting that patience within the ranks is running thin.