ASUU, NAAT, Others Absent As FG Launches Loan Scheme For Tertiary Institutions’ Staff
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Federal Government on Thursday launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a scheme designed to offer loan opportunities to staff of government-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
However, some university-based unions, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), whose members are the primary targets of the initiative, were conspicuously absent at the launch in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the intervention as more than just a welfare package. He said it was a strategic empowerment platform designed to give academic and non-academic staff the financial stability they need to serve students with renewed dedication, while living with dignity and pride.
Dr. Alausa explained that the TISSF is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI).
“It is a zero per cent interest loan scheme aimed at enhancing welfare, supporting career development, and promoting financial independence for staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions. It responds to the economic pressures and professional development gaps faced by staff in the tertiary sector.
“Through the TISSF, beneficiaries will have access to financing for medical support, family and accommodation support, transportation, small-scale enterprise and agriculture, as well as academic advancement.”
On eligibility, the Minister said applicants must be full-time academic or non-academic staff of any federal university, polytechnic, or college of education, as well as one state university, polytechnic, and college of education in each state. Applicants must have at least five years left before retirement and be registered members of relevant staff associations such as ASUU, NASU, COEASU, or SSANU.
This, he said, translates to 248 eligible institutions nationwide, covering all federal tertiary institutions and selected state-owned ones.
Each eligible staff member can access up to ₦10m, subject to a cap of 33.3 percent of their gross annual salary.
The loans are interest-free, repayable over five years, with a 12-month moratorium before repayment begins. Applications will be processed through an online platform, where staff can fill out a form, undergo identity verification, and have their requests vetted by the BoI.
The Managing Director of the BoI, Olasupo Olusi, assured that the system would be efficient, effective and secure, without glitches or the bureaucratic bottlenecks common in administrative processes
Meanwhile, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, could not be reached for comment on the union’s position regarding the loan scheme or their absence at the inauguration.
However, a few days earlier, NAAT, in a statement by its National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, had rejected the TISSF, describing it as a “distraction.”
“We wish to make it categorically clear that our members do not need a loan that will perpetually enslave them, as it amounts to taking their salaries in advance.”
We have NAAT cooperatives to address the short-term financial needs of members.
Rather, NAAT demands the payment of all outstanding arrears legitimately earned by its members, including three and a half months of withheld salaries, seven months’ arrears of occupational hazard allowance, and the release of third-party deductions for the two months of withheld salaries that were paid.
Others are payment of 11 months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance (RA), payment of 12 months’ arrears of the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increase, payment of four months’ arrears of wage award, arrears of the ₦30,000 Minimum Wage for omitted members (implemented in 2019), and the release of supplementary funds to pay the outstanding claims of Earned Allowances for NAAT members.”
NAAT urged the Federal Government to channel the TISSF funds towards settling these outstanding claims, and called on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Tertiary Education and TETFund to intervene.
SOURCE: THISDAY
