Fg Fails To Implement Directive On Exemption Of University Staff From Ippis, 10 Months Later.

James Emejo reporting from Abuja

The federal government has yet to exempt universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) despite making the decision 10 months ago, according to THISDAY’s findings.

Back in December 2023, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the government’s plan to remove university staff from the controversial payroll system after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

However, despite the government’s approval for the exemption of these institutions, the directive has not been implemented, leading to non-payment of salaries, especially for new staff, as revealed by THISDAY’s investigation.

The government agreed to exempt tertiary institutions from IPPIS in response to the demands of the university community, citing the system’s limitations in allowing institutions to manage their affairs independently.

Minister Idris said, “Today, the universities and other tertiary institutions have received a significant relief from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System. The university authorities and others have been clamoring for exempting the universities and other tertiary institutions from this system.”

He further explained, “Going forward, the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education will be taken off the IPPIS. What that means is that the university authorities and other tertiary institutions will now pay their personnel from their own funds instead of relying on the IPPIS.”

Additionally, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, emphasized that the goal is to ensure the efficient management of public educational institutions across the country. He clarified that the decision is not a reflection of any concerns about the integrity or suitability of IPPIS or any other similar system.

However, the non-implementation of the exemption directive issued almost a year ago continues to present challenges in tertiary institutions. The non-payment of salaries has reportedly disrupted academic activities and has triggered threats of another round of strike action by university lecturers.

A source informed THISDAY that the payment of salaries to recently employed staff in most academic institutions has become impossible due to the government’s delay in effectively implementing the exemption order.

Responding to the issue, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), stated that the treasury is awaiting further guidance from the Office of the Head of Service and the Federal Ministry of Finance on which personnel should be removed from the IPPIS payroll.

He explained that these agencies are currently conducting an audit of university personnel to determine the specific number of staff to be exempted from the system. Once this process is complete, the OAGF can proceed with the exemption order.

Mr. Mokwa also mentioned that an inter-agency commitment was established last month to work towards the implementation of the government’s directive.

The IPPIS was introduced by the federal government in October 2006 as a reform initiative to maintain effective personnel records, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability. While it initially covered all ministries, departments, and agencies drawing personnel costs from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resisted its implementation in universities.

ASUU argued that IPPIS undermines university autonomy and does not accommodate the unique nature of academic work. They proposed an alternative system, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), which they believe is better suited for the university system. This disagreement has led to tensions and a protracted standoff between ASUU and the government.

The non-implementation of the exemption order and the ongoing dispute surrounding IPPIS have now raised concerns over the possibility of another industrial action by academic unions, further disrupting the Nigerian tertiary education sector.