NANS Urges ASUU to Cease Opposition to Student Loan Program

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to stop its opposition to the Student Loan Program. In a statement released on Thursday, the NANS Senate President, Dist. Sen. Akinteye Afeez Babatunde, expressed disappointment in the stance of the university union.

ASUUs NEC had previously stated that the Student Loan Scheme was a way to starve public universities of funding and divert public funds into private universities owned by politically exposed individuals and their friends. However, NANS believes that the program could provide much-needed relief to countless students and should not be opposed by the university union.

NANS is also concerned about the hypocrisy of ASUU’s opposition, questioning whether the university union would still be against the program if its members were to benefit from it. NANS demands transparency and honesty from ASUU regarding their stance on the student loan program.

Furthermore, NANS has called on ASUU to refrain from acting as the mouthpiece of the Nigerian students. Students are capable of voicing their own opinions and advocating for their interests, and the university union should not presume to speak for students without consulting them directly.

NANS asserts that students across the nation are supportive of the Student Loan Program and believe it represents hope for many Nigerian students, especially those facing financial hardship. The program offers an opportunity for sons and daughters of ‘nobodies’ to access higher education, thereby levelling the playing field and fostering equal opportunities for all.

NANS urges ASUU to cease its opposition to the Student Loan Program and to refrain from speaking on behalf of students without their consent. If ASUU has any genuine concerns or reservations about the program, they should address them openly and transparently. It is time for ASUU to prioritize students’ interests and support initiatives that will benefit the entire student community.