In a statement, CONUA's National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, acknowledged the government's Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) as a welcome development but warned that it should not distract from more pressing concerns.
The union emphasized that university lecturers require sustainable welfare measures, not access to credit. It listed several unresolved issues, including unpaid allowances, withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and unremitted deductions.
CONUA called for a comprehensive salary review, noting that the last major wage adjustment occurred in 2009. It also urged the government to address pension-related challenges and ensure fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness in the implementation of the TISSF scheme.
The union demanded that all stakeholder unions, including CONUA, be represented in the implementation and monitoring of the scheme to ensure equity in access and eliminate bureaucratic barriers.
CONUA urged the government to complement the loan scheme with holistic measures that restore confidence, uphold academic dignity, and reflect a genuine commitment to revamping the education sector.