Lecturers at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna have rejected the loan scheme proposed for academics by the federal government declaring that the loan scheme is “an insult” and a clear sign of disregard for university lecturers.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members, led by their branch chairperson, Professor Lukman Kunle Oyewobi, staged a protest on campus, insisting that what they need is the implementation of their long-overdue agreement with government, not loans that will trap them in debt.
“Our condition of service has been on the negotiation table for years. Government set up committees, we did collective bargaining, conclusions were reached, yet nothing has been signed. Instead, they are asking us to take loans. That is unacceptable,” Oyewobi said.
He noted that the most recent renegotiation committee, completed its work in December 2024 and submitted its report in February 2025, yet government has failed to act warning that ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) will meet on August 20 to decide on the next line of action, which could include a nationwide strike.
The lecturers stressed that their salaries have become grossly inadequate due to inflation and poor government commitment as Oyewobi pointed out that while professors were meant to earn the equivalent of $3,000 monthly under the 2009 agreement, today no professor earns more than $350 or about ₦600,000.
Veteran academic, Professor Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akanye, who has taught for over 45 years and is due to retire next year, said it was disheartening that after decades of service, government still treats lecturers with disregard and refuse to value their sacrifices.
“Instead of rewarding us, they are asking us to borrow. How can a nation progress when its intellectuals are reduced to debtors? How can a nation progress when its intellectuals are treated this way?” she asked.
Professor Musa Galadima of the Department of Microbiology said the reality has become unbearable lamenting that many professors cannot meet basic needs or provide quality education for their children.
“As a professor, I cannot feed my family or send my children to good schools. Professors now trek to work. It is shameful. Professors have to trek to work or take keke to work. It is shameful. I stand in front of students with pains in my heart,” he lamented.
The FUT Minna ASUU members insisted that the government must honour its agreements and improve the welfare of lecturers, stressing that failure to act would only push the university system closer to another strike.
