ASUU Supports Seven Bauchi Students With Scholarships to Ease Economic Burden
The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University gives financial aid to struggling students
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) chapter, has awarded scholarships to seven financially challenged students to support their academic journey. The award, which came as a relief to the beneficiaries, reflects ASUU’s continued effort to assist students facing economic difficulties.
Dr. Angulu Haruna, Chairperson of the ASUU-ATBU Bauchi branch, said the scholarship initiative is part of the union’s ongoing commitment to supporting education despite Nigeria’s tough economy. According to him, while the National body of ASUU granted scholarships to two students, the local ATBU branch extended support to five more.
Two students, Tahir Suleiman from Petroleum Engineering and Christiana Thomas Haruna from Industrial Design, each received ₦200,000 from the National ASUU leadership. Meanwhile, five other students—Musfaru Usman Abdulkarim (Civil Engineering), Rahmatu Ahmad Musa (Environmental Management Technology), Abdulaziz Isah (Statistics), Ayuba Abdullhamid (Computer Science), and Hassan Nenchi Elisha (Construction Technology Education)—were awarded ₦100,000 each by the ATBU branch. The money is meant to assist them with school fees and other educational expenses.
Prof. Usman Aliyu Jalam, who led the selection committee, explained that the criteria included maintaining at least a 3.0 CGPA and demonstrating financial hardship. Heads of departments and programme coordinators helped in identifying eligible candidates, and background checks were conducted to confirm their financial status.
Dr. Haruna used the occasion to advise the government to consider issuing education grants instead of student loans, which he argued would burden students after graduation. He cited examples from developed countries where student loan schemes have not been effective, saying, “We’ve never supported the student loan. What Nigerian students need are grants, not loans.”
One of the awardees, Christiana Thomas Haruna, expressed gratitude on behalf of the recipients. She thanked ASUU for the timely help, noting that the financial support came just when many of them were about to give up on school due to hardship. She pledged that they would remain committed to their education and make the union proud.
