The ongoing conflict between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigerian government seems to be escalating, primarily concerning the payment platform for university staff salaries and the constitution of new governing councils for universities. Despite the government’s announcement last year exempting federal-owned tertiary institutions from using the Integrated Personnel Payment System (IPPIS), there has been no implementation of the new policy.
Instead, there are indications that the government is planning to use the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) to pay the salaries of lecturers, which suggests a departure from the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) proposed by ASUU.
Reports indicate that despite promises and declarations, university staff continue to be paid through IPPIS, with only minor changes in nomenclature. This lack of implementation has led to frustration among ASUU members, who view IPPIS as a threat to the autonomy of universities and accuse the government of irregularities and shortchanging in salary payments.
ASUU branches across various universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Jos, have called for immediate removal from IPPIS, as directed by the Federal Executive Council, and the reinstatement of governing councils that were previously removed. The union has also reiterated its demands for the release of the Revitalisation Fund and the payment of salaries for members excluded from IPPIS payroll.
The failure of the government to address these issues has led to protests and further strains in the relationship between ASUU and the government, reminiscent of past industrial strikes and disputes over university funding and autonomy.