In a significant policy shift, the Nigerian government has announced the removal of universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). This decision, communicated by the Minister of Finance during a press briefing, has sparked a range of reactions across the educational sector, with many stakeholders viewing it as a long-awaited step towards greater autonomy for higher education institutions.
The IPPIS, launched in 2004, was designed to streamline payroll management for government employees and combat issues such as ghost workers and payroll fraud. However, its implementation in universities faced widespread criticism from academic staff and administrators, who argued that the system inadequately addressed the unique financial structures and operational needs of higher education institutions.
The government’s latest move comes after months of negotiations with various academic unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has long advocated for a more tailored approach to payroll management. The union emphasized that the removal from IPPIS would allow universities to manage their finances more effectively and improve the overall working conditions for academic staff.
As the government moves to implement this decision, the future of payroll management within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions remains a critical area of focus. Stakeholders are now closely
