The House of Representatives has committed to taking decisive measures to tackle the ongoing issue stemming from the failure to implement Presidential directives aimed at removing universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Honourable Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, made this announcement during a meeting with the Conference of Vice Chancellors in Abuja on Wednesday.
Fulata emphasized the committee’s resolve to address any challenges that could hinder the effective operation of universities nationwide. He highlighted that President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged their concerns and approved the removal of universities and other tertiary institutions from the IPPIS framework. Additionally, the President has reconstituted councils and boards for higher education institutions and approved a 50% subsidy on electricity tariffs for hospitals and tertiary institutions.
Expressing optimism, Fulata stated that he believes the issue of non-implementation regarding the President’s directive on IPPIS will soon be resolved. He pointed out the cumbersome process that vice chancellors face, noting that it can take multiple interactions with seven different ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) under the IPPIS system just to employ a cleaner.
Professor Lilian Salami, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), remarked that despite the presidential directive to exempt universities and other tertiary institutions from IPPIS, they continue to depend on the platform for recruitment, salary disbursements, and other administrative functions.
NAN also reported that on July 12, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) instructed the swift removal of the nation’s university system from the IPPIS platform, a decision that followed the federal government’s earlier endorsement of the initiative. This new directive is part of the resolutions reached during a council meeting led by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
Source: Tribune
