The University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has rejected the federal government’s loan scheme for university lecturers and other workers in tertiary institutions.

Jurbe Molwus, the chairman of the union in the university, said this during a press conference on Tuesday in Jos.

Recently, the government announced the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund. The move, according to the government, is a welfare and empowerment initiative for academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said that the fund was a direct response to the welfare and professional growth needs of the nation’s tertiary institution workforce.

Mr Molwus, who called on the government to implement the 2009 agreement with the union, said that the loan scheme was a “trap”.

The chairman also described the scheme as a “poisoned chalice” and urged members to stay away from it.

“Our members do not lack where to find loans; indeed, they are already deep in debt from such loans. What we need now is for the government to sign our renegotiated agreement.

“That way our purchasing power will improve and decrease our reliance on debts from cooperative societies,” said Mr Molwus.

On the peaceful protest by ASUU members across university campuses, Mr Molwus said that the move aimed to call on the government to address the lingering issues.

The ASUU chairman urged President Bola Tinubu to personally engage with the ASUU leadership and hear the concerns firsthand.

He added that such a move would enable the president to take decisive action toward preventing the disruption of academic activities in universities across the country.

(NAN)