ASUU Fires Back, Tags FG Liar!

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and allied tertiary institution unions have vehemently rejected the government’s newly introduced Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), describing it as a scheme wrapped in mediocrity, entrenched in tokenism, and as a “poisoned chalice.” ASUU President Prof. Christopher Piwuna and union leaders have strongly insisted that loans cannot substitute a living wage and have called for the full implementation of the 2009 renegotiated agreement which the government has yet to fulfill.

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The government had launched TISSF as a welfare and empowerment initiative providing interest-free loans up to ₦10 million for academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The program aims to offer financial stability through loans for emergencies, home support, academic advancement, and more. However, unions argue that this approach burdens workers with debt rather than addressing fundamental welfare issues and salary arrears, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and looming strike threats from unions nationwide.

ASUU has urged Nigerians to press the government to engage all stakeholders and urgently resolve the impasse to avoid industrial action and restore peace to the university system. Meanwhile, the federal government has denied reaching any agreement with ASUU, clarifying that upcoming meetings will only propose counter-offers and await union response. The unions remain cautious, prepared to escalate protests until concrete, tangible actions are taken by the government to improve salaries, working conditions, and implement past agreements. The situation remains tense with the potential for a nationwide strike impacting academic activities across public universities .