President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Chris Piwuna, has warned that giving student loans in Nigeria’s weak economy is unrealistic and unfair, especially when many graduates are jobless and struggling to survive.
In an interview with the PUNCH, Piwuna said the student loan programme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund does not reflect the economic reality of the country.
“You cannot give me a loan without jobs or any prospects of getting a job. You cannot give me a loan when I can’t even feed myself,” the ASUU President stated.
He advised the Federal Government to turn the loan scheme into scholarships or grants instead of adding more financial pressure on struggling students.
“If you have that money, give it as a scholarship to students. If you have that scholarship, give it as a grant to students,” he said. “Why put that extra burden when you know that you have not developed the economy?”
Piwuna stressed that many graduates are already battling poverty, and adding loan repayment without job opportunities will only worsen their condition.
The ASUU President criticised the government for not looking at the bigger picture in educational planning. He said the loan scheme may sound good on paper but lacks long-term impact.
He added, “Even if they want to be realistic, they will realise that this type of loan is just something they fancy, but it is not rooted in any economic reality.”
Piwuna also called on the government to revisit the 2009 agreement ASUU signed with the Federal Government. He said the agreement outlines clear plans for university funding, staff welfare, and better governance.
“We are still on the 2009 agreement matter, and this is one of the key things that we believe will reverse the deteriorating state of affairs in our universities,” he said.
According to him, the government’s failure to act on this agreement for over a decade has led to deeper problems in the university system.
He noted, “If the government had reviewed this document before now, the effort needed to solve this problem would not have been as much as it is now.”
While responding to the possibility of strike action, Piwuna said ASUU does not enjoy going on strike but may have no choice if the government keeps ignoring their concerns.
“Strike is universal… we cannot take strike off the table,” he said. “But what we are saying is: do we have to use it? That depends on whether the government sits down to look at the issues with us and resolve them.”
He also touched on the issue of brain drain, saying poor working conditions and low pay are forcing lecturers to leave the country.
“Our members are leaving because of these very terrible conditions that we have in the system,” he said. “If the government wants to reduce brain drain, they know what to do.”
Piwuna urged the Federal Government to focus on long-term solutions instead of quick, short-term policies.
“The only thing they have achieved in education is the NELFUND, which we have a problem with,” he said. “Countries that have impacted this world invest heavily in education and research.”
He concluded by asking the government to take meaningful steps that can truly improve Nigeria’s universities and give young people a better future.
