POST-ASUU STRIKE: Fresh Crisis Brews in Universities

A fresh crisis is unfolding in the National university system, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members nationwide to refuse filling forms on a new method of payment tagged Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS).

This has been contained in a directive given by the University of Ibadan (UI) branch of ASUU, through its Secretary, Dr. Deji Omole.

The academic union warned the boss of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie to focus on facilities and infrastructures needed in universities rather than pre-occupy himself in alleged fraud-related forms.

The lecturers further cautioned the NUC not to distract them now that they were trying to cover lost grounds occasioned by the five month strike.

Declaring that the method of payment negated the principle of university autonomy agreed upon since 1992, the union said:

“Our attention has been drawn to an NUC Circular directing University Staff to fill IPPIS forms. This is to remind you that the Union’s position on IPPIS has not changed.

“Until NEC reviews its earlier decision, no ASUU should fill the form. NEC is to discuss this issue in February and give further directive. United we bargain, divided we beg.”

The Chairman, UI Chapter, Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye also backed position of ASUU:

“Integrated payment system does not take into consideration the peculiarity of the work of academic staff and it negates the principle of autonomy which ASUU won since 1992.

“IPPS negates the principle of University autonomy that ASUU fought for. We are employed by our respective governing councils and not centrally by NUC. For salaries to be paid from Abuja is strange to world university system apart from the dangers inherent in it.

“IPPS does not take into consideration the peculiarity of our job. Now that we are even paid by our universities, members who have problems with their salaries face difficulties before getting it resolved let alone salaries being paid from Abuja.

“They are talking of ghost workers when salaries have not been paid from Abuja but somebody in front of the system in Abuja will manufacture fictitious names and pay themselves. It will give room for fraud and make life difficult for our profession and members. We say no to IPPS.”

It would be recalled that the university lecturers called off strike on December 16, 2013, ending almost 6-months-long crisis in the educational sector of the county.