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| ASUU chairman, Ogunyemi |
IPPIS: FG’s
corruption fight and ASUU’s fears
corruption fight and ASUU’s fears
The
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is worried that the federal
government is planning to force lecturers into the Integrated Payroll
and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). ASUU’s fears are that the scheme
will erode their hard-earned university autonomy, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU
reports.
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is worried that the federal
government is planning to force lecturers into the Integrated Payroll
and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). ASUU’s fears are that the scheme
will erode their hard-earned university autonomy, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU
reports.
Background
The
IPPIS is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) project initiated
by the federal government to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
payroll administration for its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). But
the policy does not go down well with university lecturers who claim that the federal
government is planning to wipe away the university autonomy by forcing its
members on the controversial scheme.
While speaking to journalists in Ibadan recently, the chairman, Ibadan zone of
ASUU, Professor Ade Adejumo, vowed that the union was ready to resist the plans
by the federal government to force ASUU members on the IPPIS scheme.
IPPIS is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) project initiated
by the federal government to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
payroll administration for its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). But
the policy does not go down well with university lecturers who claim that the federal
government is planning to wipe away the university autonomy by forcing its
members on the controversial scheme.
While speaking to journalists in Ibadan recently, the chairman, Ibadan zone of
ASUU, Professor Ade Adejumo, vowed that the union was ready to resist the plans
by the federal government to force ASUU members on the IPPIS scheme.
ASUU argued that rather than presenting the true picture of things on the
IPPIS, the federal government has resolved to “selling lies” to Nigerians on
the matter.
“It
is common knowledge that in the past week the media have been agog with news of
the opposition of ASUU to Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Systems
(IPPIS), a new and strange regime of finance about to be forced on public universities
in Nigeria.
is common knowledge that in the past week the media have been agog with news of
the opposition of ASUU to Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Systems
(IPPIS), a new and strange regime of finance about to be forced on public universities
in Nigeria.
“At
first, our union and government were on the same page in respect of the
infallible reasons that our union painstakingly explained to government
representatives during our interactions.
first, our union and government were on the same page in respect of the
infallible reasons that our union painstakingly explained to government
representatives during our interactions.
“These, unfortunately appears to have fallen
on deaf ears as government has not only rolled out its propaganda machines
against our union but also planning to ambush the union and force our members
into this ill-informed platform.
on deaf ears as government has not only rolled out its propaganda machines
against our union but also planning to ambush the union and force our members
into this ill-informed platform.
“These
ominous signs have now made it expedient for ASUU, as a responsible union of
intellectuals, to puncture the lies sold to the public by government, particularly
the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, so that members of the
public can be better informed about our position.
ominous signs have now made it expedient for ASUU, as a responsible union of
intellectuals, to puncture the lies sold to the public by government, particularly
the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, so that members of the
public can be better informed about our position.
“For emphasis therefore, we now present
detailed perspectives of our union’s rejection of the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to discerning members of the public
(because) the IPPIS clearly violates the law,” he said.
detailed perspectives of our union’s rejection of the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to discerning members of the public
(because) the IPPIS clearly violates the law,” he said.
According
to ASUU, the universities miscellaneous provisions (amendment) Act 2003,
provides in section 2AA unequivocally that the power of the council shall be
exercised, as in the laws and statutes of each university and to that extent,
establishment circulars that are inconsistent with the laws and statutes of the
university shall not apply to universities.
to ASUU, the universities miscellaneous provisions (amendment) Act 2003,
provides in section 2AA unequivocally that the power of the council shall be
exercised, as in the laws and statutes of each university and to that extent,
establishment circulars that are inconsistent with the laws and statutes of the
university shall not apply to universities.
Among
other things the 1992 Act establishing federal universities, for example,
Federal Universities of Agriculture Section 8 (1 and 4) provided: “Subject to
the provisions of this Act relating to the visitor, the council shall be the
governing body of each university and shall be charged with the general control
and superintendence of the policy, finance and property of the university. Also
it states that the council shall ensure that proper accounts of the university
are kept and that the accounts of the university are audited annually by an
independent firm of auditors approved by the council.
other things the 1992 Act establishing federal universities, for example,
Federal Universities of Agriculture Section 8 (1 and 4) provided: “Subject to
the provisions of this Act relating to the visitor, the council shall be the
governing body of each university and shall be charged with the general control
and superintendence of the policy, finance and property of the university. Also
it states that the council shall ensure that proper accounts of the university
are kept and that the accounts of the university are audited annually by an
independent firm of auditors approved by the council.
Based on the foregoing, the union pointed out that these provisions make it
clear that although government has control over budgets of universities; the
responsibility of dispensing finance is vested, by law, in respective
university councils that employed the staff.
“Our
union is appalled that government losing site of the provisions of the law,
reeled out the ill-advised presidential directive that all employees of federal
government in MDAs should enroll on IPPIS by October, failure of which erring
MDA’s will be denied due emoluments.
union is appalled that government losing site of the provisions of the law,
reeled out the ill-advised presidential directive that all employees of federal
government in MDAs should enroll on IPPIS by October, failure of which erring
MDA’s will be denied due emoluments.
“Our
union has no reason to believe that the president of the Federal Republic will
flagrantly act against the law, which he vowed to uphold in his oath of office.”
union has no reason to believe that the president of the Federal Republic will
flagrantly act against the law, which he vowed to uphold in his oath of office.”
IPPIS and ASUU-FGN agreements
The
1992, 2001 and 2009 Federal Government versus ASUU agreements states, “The universities
should be allowed to operate in compliance with their enabling laws, statutes,
rules and regulations in conformity with due process and within the laws of the
land.”
1992, 2001 and 2009 Federal Government versus ASUU agreements states, “The universities
should be allowed to operate in compliance with their enabling laws, statutes,
rules and regulations in conformity with due process and within the laws of the
land.”
Similarly,
item IV of the 2001 agreement with government, while stressing the powers of university
council reiterates that: “Circulars from ministries shall be deemed invalid to
the extent that they are inconsistent with the laws and regulations of the universities
and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
item IV of the 2001 agreement with government, while stressing the powers of university
council reiterates that: “Circulars from ministries shall be deemed invalid to
the extent that they are inconsistent with the laws and regulations of the universities
and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Also
the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement states in absolute terms that “each university shall
arrange its own cost-saving measures.”
the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement states in absolute terms that “each university shall
arrange its own cost-saving measures.”
So
the forgoing formed the basis of ASUU’s resistance to IPPIS scheme.
the forgoing formed the basis of ASUU’s resistance to IPPIS scheme.
IPPIS part of corruption fight
If there is anything the Buhari government is noted for, it is its
anti-corruption fight. Nigerians and the
APC-led federal government had been earlier warned by experts that corruption
would fight back. And to many Nigerians, corruption is really fighting back
clothed in various crimes.
anti-corruption fight. Nigerians and the
APC-led federal government had been earlier warned by experts that corruption
would fight back. And to many Nigerians, corruption is really fighting back
clothed in various crimes.
Indeed, no average Nigerian in 2019, would not honestly say he or
she fared better financially when the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was at the driver’s seat. But Nigerians chose to vote the All
Progressives Congress (APC) just to avoid living on false pretence of national
development whose consequences would be grave with their children.
she fared better financially when the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was at the driver’s seat. But Nigerians chose to vote the All
Progressives Congress (APC) just to avoid living on false pretence of national
development whose consequences would be grave with their children.
Now statistics reveals that more than 90 millions Nigerians wake up each
morning without knowing what to eat for breakfast; 30 million youths are
unemployed nationwide and 10.5 million children are out of school.
morning without knowing what to eat for breakfast; 30 million youths are
unemployed nationwide and 10.5 million children are out of school.
In addition to these woes, our highways, farms, markets and even homes,
are not safe. Kidnappers, armed bandits, terrorists and herdsmen are all there
stalking their preys. All these came as a result of the ravages of corrupt
practices in the polity which had alienated and reduced some segments of the
society to second or third class citizens. The evils in the Nigerian society
today are the feedback of bad governance in the past. It is because Nigeria had
celebrated criminals and punished the patriots via national appointments and
recognition, merit awards and the justice system. Even in the award of honorary
degrees in university communities, rich criminals are the kings.
are not safe. Kidnappers, armed bandits, terrorists and herdsmen are all there
stalking their preys. All these came as a result of the ravages of corrupt
practices in the polity which had alienated and reduced some segments of the
society to second or third class citizens. The evils in the Nigerian society
today are the feedback of bad governance in the past. It is because Nigeria had
celebrated criminals and punished the patriots via national appointments and
recognition, merit awards and the justice system. Even in the award of honorary
degrees in university communities, rich criminals are the kings.
ASUU must know that the resistance to policies that will wipe out
corruption in the polity should not come from intellectuals in the university
community. For one, they are one of the
highly marginalised groups in terms of financial claims to jobs, which the
present structure of government and statutes have occasioned. A school certificate holder who is successful
in an election as a local government chairman, governor or federal legislator,
will receive remuneration in one month which the grey haired professors cannot
accumulate in 10 years.
corruption in the polity should not come from intellectuals in the university
community. For one, they are one of the
highly marginalised groups in terms of financial claims to jobs, which the
present structure of government and statutes have occasioned. A school certificate holder who is successful
in an election as a local government chairman, governor or federal legislator,
will receive remuneration in one month which the grey haired professors cannot
accumulate in 10 years.
But somebody must begin from somewhere. For the university community to
resist a policy that is coming gradually to clean the Augean stable in the
polity is another thing else. ASUU should comply with the new policy and enroll
on the IPPIS. They should strongly advocate for a reduction in remunerations of
politicians in seminars, workshops and public speeches. To succeed in this
fight they, must take along their students.
resist a policy that is coming gradually to clean the Augean stable in the
polity is another thing else. ASUU should comply with the new policy and enroll
on the IPPIS. They should strongly advocate for a reduction in remunerations of
politicians in seminars, workshops and public speeches. To succeed in this
fight they, must take along their students.
ASUU, therefore, should give the Buhari government the benefit of the
doubt by enrolling on the IPPIS. After all, the federal government said it has
so far recovered N230bn
from ghost workers following the implementation of the policy. The money freed
from ghost workers could be channelled to education budgets.
doubt by enrolling on the IPPIS. After all, the federal government said it has
so far recovered N230bn
from ghost workers following the implementation of the policy. The money freed
from ghost workers could be channelled to education budgets.
The introduction of IPPIS is a step towards cutting governance cost and
leakages. Therefore, the group least expected to stand on its way are the intellectuals
in the university community, no matter what the laws regarding the university
autonomy may state.
leakages. Therefore, the group least expected to stand on its way are the intellectuals
in the university community, no matter what the laws regarding the university
autonomy may state.
To move the country forward, we must all make sacrifices. If the
implementation of IPPIS is a step towards fighting corruption and cutting
governance cost, let all patriots welcome it, irrespective of affiliation to
trade unions.
implementation of IPPIS is a step towards fighting corruption and cutting
governance cost, let all patriots welcome it, irrespective of affiliation to
trade unions.
Although the fears raised by ASUU that being on IPPIS might erode their
autonomy is genuine, there are other ways to address the issue instead of
calling for a showdown with government which will cheapen the union of
intellectual people who are known for their altruistic disposition. No one, no
government can pay for a teacher’s effort.
autonomy is genuine, there are other ways to address the issue instead of
calling for a showdown with government which will cheapen the union of
intellectual people who are known for their altruistic disposition. No one, no
government can pay for a teacher’s effort.
IPPIS,
AGF and the Senate
The
implementation of IPPIS has already saved the country over N230bn
in three years, said the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris.
implementation of IPPIS has already saved the country over N230bn
in three years, said the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris.
Idris
told the Senate Committee on Finance during budget defence session that Nigeria gained over N50bn, N100bn and N80bn
respectively in 2017, 2018 and 2019 which would have been lost to fictitious
payment of salaries and pensions.
told the Senate Committee on Finance during budget defence session that Nigeria gained over N50bn, N100bn and N80bn
respectively in 2017, 2018 and 2019 which would have been lost to fictitious
payment of salaries and pensions.
The
IPPIS is one of the Public Finance Reform Initiatives of his office which will
make government make more money once workers in public universities and polytechnics
are enrolled on the IPPIS payment scheme in line with President Muhammadu
Buhari’s directive in his 2020 budget speech that all federal government
workers must be enlisted.
IPPIS is one of the Public Finance Reform Initiatives of his office which will
make government make more money once workers in public universities and polytechnics
are enrolled on the IPPIS payment scheme in line with President Muhammadu
Buhari’s directive in his 2020 budget speech that all federal government
workers must be enlisted.
Other
initiatives of the office under his leadership, he said, include the Treasury
Single Account (TSA), the GPMIS budget execution platform, Audit laboratory and
audit modernisation through IT audit driven system.
initiatives of the office under his leadership, he said, include the Treasury
Single Account (TSA), the GPMIS budget execution platform, Audit laboratory and
audit modernisation through IT audit driven system.
The
chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan
commended the office of the Accountant-General for its many reform initiatives
in public finance.
chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan
commended the office of the Accountant-General for its many reform initiatives
in public finance.
The
chairman said there is the need for the committee to meet with the office of
the Accountant-General, revenue generating agencies and the Fiscal
Responsibility Commission to fine-tune further revenue generating methods.
chairman said there is the need for the committee to meet with the office of
the Accountant-General, revenue generating agencies and the Fiscal
Responsibility Commission to fine-tune further revenue generating methods.
ASUU’s
fears
ASUU
is spoiling for a showdown with the federal government over what it called the
imposition of IPPIS on its members.
is spoiling for a showdown with the federal government over what it called the
imposition of IPPIS on its members.
The
leaders of ASUU summoned an emergency National Executive Council meeting where
it was agreed that the leadership of the union at university levels should
begin mobilisation of members for an action against the APC-led federal
government.
leaders of ASUU summoned an emergency National Executive Council meeting where
it was agreed that the leadership of the union at university levels should
begin mobilisation of members for an action against the APC-led federal
government.
President
Mohammadu Buhari had reportedly directed that any federal government worker not
on the IPPIS would no longer receive salary.
Mohammadu Buhari had reportedly directed that any federal government worker not
on the IPPIS would no longer receive salary.
The
ASUU said the template designed by government was planned to enslave
intellectuals, as it does not make provisions for payment of arrears of
promotion, study leave allowance, responsibility allowance among others.
ASUU said the template designed by government was planned to enslave
intellectuals, as it does not make provisions for payment of arrears of
promotion, study leave allowance, responsibility allowance among others.
According
to ASUU, the federal government template was designed to phase out university
lecturers who are above 60 years which is against the new policy where
professors retire at 70 years.
to ASUU, the federal government template was designed to phase out university
lecturers who are above 60 years which is against the new policy where
professors retire at 70 years.
“Forceful imposition of IPPIS on university
workers is a violation of the university autonomy Act. It is therefore
illegal.
workers is a violation of the university autonomy Act. It is therefore
illegal.
“While
ASUU is not against accountability on the part of the university administrator,
government should not be allowed to destroy public universities in its
purported claims of fighting corruption.
ASUU is not against accountability on the part of the university administrator,
government should not be allowed to destroy public universities in its
purported claims of fighting corruption.
“Our
members should remain focus and committed in our struggle to protect public
university education by resisting forceful imposition of IPPIS on university
workers.”
members should remain focus and committed in our struggle to protect public
university education by resisting forceful imposition of IPPIS on university
workers.”