From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has expressed worries about how President Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led administration has failed to remove the public Tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) despite being announced the existence.
While appealing for urgent completion of state University Staff Quarters abandoned over 11 years.
Chairperson, ASUU – UDUS Muhammad Nurudeen Almustapha and Saidu Isa Abubakar, Chairperson, ASUU – SSU stated this at a joint press conference held at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), along Zuru roads Sokoto.
Emphasised that despite the president announcing the exit of the tertiary institutions from IPPIS in December 2023 but to the union charge, universities are still being paid through the IPPIS platform.
The aggrieved union members argued saying what has gone wrong with presidential directives?
“ASUU has consistently rejected the payment platform because it grossly erodes the autonomy of our Universities”.
It also expressed worry that some elements inside and outside the government may be planning to undermine the government’s directives given the ambiguity that currently surrounds the transition out of IPPIS.
While advising that the government should revert to quarterly releases of University funds to enable them to design and implement their salary payment plans.
“This is the Hallmark of a truly autonomous University system as obtained in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Union noted that addressing this will enhance campus security and alleviate transportation and accommodation challenges faced by the union members.
Also reminded the Sokoto state government to as a matter of urgency, implement the 25/35 per cent Salary Increment of the union members as approved by the presidential committee on salaries.
“This is because labour matters, including salaries, are negotiated centrally, as stipulated in the exclusive legislative list of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Accordingly, the union advised the Sokoto State Government to emulate the federal government and implement the N35,000 wage award for academic staff.