Gladness Gideon
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has awarded scholarships to 164 financially disadvantaged students across Nigerian universities, reinforcing its commitment to promoting equitable access to higher education amid rising school costs.
The disbursement of the 2024 scholarships was announced on Saturday by Professor Christopher Piwuna, Convener of ASUU’s Grant, Research and Publications Committee, during a press briefing held at the Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, Bauchi State at the weekend.
According to Piwuna, each recipient received a non-refundable sum of N200,000 following a transparent and rigorous selection process conducted across the union’s 79 branches nationwide. Two students were chosen per university branch, based on both their academic excellence and verified financial need.
Speaking on behalf of Piwuna, former ASUU Bauchi-Zone Coordinator, Lawan Abubakar, noted that the selection process also ensured gender inclusivity and the representation of physically challenged students, in line with ASUU’s drive to foster a more inclusive academic environment.
“Over the last two years alone, ASUU has disbursed approximately N164.8 million in scholarships to indigent students in public universities across the country,” Piwuna revealed.
He also highlighted the union’s longstanding commitment to student welfare, citing its continued management of the Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship as well as the introduction of ASUU’s independent scholarship initiative.
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Piwuna criticised what he described as the government’s “unrelenting attacks” on students and their families through the imposition of rising school fees, reiterating ASUU’s stance that public education should remain accessible.
“When we argued that the NELFUND scholarship should be structured as a grant, we meant it. ASUU is not asking any parent or student to repay our support. This is not a loan — it is a lifeline,” he said.
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants were required to demonstrate financial hardship and maintain an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
ASUU’s scholarship programme stands in sharp contrast to recent funding models proposed by the government, positioning the union as a continued advocate for accessible and affordable education in Nigeria’s public university system.