The Bauchi zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reaffirmed its stance against providing loans to students and instead advocates for granting them financial assistance to support their education.

Associate Professor Lazarus Maigoro, the Bauchi zonal coordinator of ASUU, made this announcement on Saturday. He stated that the Bauchi zone of ASUU is currently gathering data on students who may be at risk of dropping out after the current academic session. The aim is to use this information to persuade the government to reconsider its decision on offering loans and, instead, provide grants to students.

Maigoro raised concerns about the practicality of student loans, questioning who would be responsible for repaying them and the fate of those unable to access them. He also highlighted the negative impact of psychological trauma on students who would be burdened with loans during their studies, ultimately affecting their academic performance. The prospect of graduating with a hefty loan of N4 million or more, without the means to repay it, adds further psychological distress for students.

During the event, Comrade Ibrahim Inuwa, the chairperson of the ASUU branch at ATBU, expressed the union’s commitment to act as a socially responsible organization by advocating for the collective interest of quality tertiary education.