ASUU REJECTS STUDENT LOANS, SAYS NIGERIANS DESERVED GRANTS

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi State zone, has taken a strong stance against student loans, advocating instead for government-funded grants to support students’ education. The union expressed concerns about the financial burden that loans place on students and their families, potentially leading to increased dropout rates.

The ASUU Zonal body is currently compiling data on students at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints, particularly in light of arbitrary fee hikes at the end of the current academic session. They intend to use this data to engage the government and push for a policy shift from loans to grants.

At a recent scholarship award ceremony for 19 indigent undergraduates at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, the Zonal Coordinator, Associate Professor Lazarus Maigoro, reiterated the union’s commitment to promoting affordable and accessible education. He emphasized the importance of grants in alleviating financial pressure on students and fostering a conducive learning environment.

Echoing this sentiment, the ATBU branch Chairman of ASUU, Ibrahim Inuwa, pledged the union’s unwavering support for quality tertiary education. He affirmed their role as a socially responsible organization, dedicated to safeguarding the interests of students and advocating for policies that enhance educational equity and accessibility.

ASUU’s stance against student loans reflects a growing concern within the academic community about the financial barriers hindering access to higher education. The union’s efforts to promote grants as a more equitable and sustainable funding mechanism underscore their commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible educational landscape.

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