The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka zone, took a firm stand on Tuesday against the introduction of a new Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), marking the continuation of a longstanding dispute with the Federal Government. The union, which has been at odds with the government over IPPIS for the past four years, reiterated its stance against the system, citing concerns over university autonomy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Makurdi, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Raphael Amokaha, expressed dismay over the emergence of the new IPPIS despite a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to remove universities from the platform. Amokaha emphasized that the directive had been met with optimism by the union, but lamented the lack of compliance.
The rejection of the new IPPIS stems from ASUU’s conviction that the system undermines university autonomy and facilitates the misappropriation of public funds. Amokaha highlighted the union’s long-standing advocacy for the adoption of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS), a homegrown payment software developed by ASUU, which has been offered to the government free of charge.
In addition to opposing the new IPPIS, ASUU called on the government to fulfill its financial obligations to university staff, particularly in light of the recent strike action in 2022. The union criticized the government for only partially paying salaries, despite a backlog of eight months owed to university employees.
Amidst allegations of non-compliance with directives and concerns over financial transparency, ASUU reiterated its commitment to defending the autonomy of universities and ensuring fair compensation for its members. The union urged the government to investigate and address the factors behind the persistence of IPPIS, while emphasizing the viability and integrity of UTAS as a viable alternative.
