The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) loan scheme, describing it as a trap that would financially enslave university workers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NAAT’s National President, Ibeji Nwokoma, said the association had carefully reviewed the scheme—initiated by the Ministry of Education and funded by TETFund—and found it unacceptable.
“Our members do not need a loan that amounts to taking their salaries in advance,” Nwokoma stated. “We have cooperative societies that can meet members’ short-term financial needs. This scheme will only perpetually enslave them.”
The union urged the government to prioritise clearing all outstanding arrears owed to members. These include three and a half months’ withheld salaries, seven months’ arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance, two months’ withheld third-party deductions, 11 months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance, 12 months’ arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increase, four months’ arrears of wage awards, and arrears of the N30,000 minimum wage for omitted NAAT members since 2019.
NAAT also demanded the release of supplementary funds to offset outstanding Earned Allowances claims.
In addition, the association condemned the recent revocation of the University of Abuja’s land by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, describing it as a unilateral and illegal action that undermines the institution’s master plan. It called on the National Assembly to intervene and reverse the decision.
The union further urged the Federal Government to redirect the TISSF funds towards settling workers’ entitlements rather than channelling them into loans.
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