IPPIS: ASUU says it won't shift ground for FG, suggests alternative

IPPIS: ASUU says it won't shift ground for FG, suggests alternative

- ASUU has stated that no going back on its position over the adoption of IPPIS

- The body said that the federal government's threats cannot hold water, adding that IPPIS is foreign to the Nigerian system

- The lecturers union, however, maintained it has developed a home-grown alternative to IPPIS known as UTAS

PAY ATTENTION: Win a prize of N115,000, N75000 or N38000: participate in Big Naija Independence contest by Legit.ng

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has tackled the federal government as fresh row emerged over the adoption of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Service (IPPIS).

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday, October 9, stated that lecturers and other federal government workers who are not captured under the controversial system would not receive their salaries.

The president stated this while presenting the 2021 budget to the two tiers of the National Assembly, stressing that no going back on the adoption of IPPIS which he said would help in tackling fraud and excess in government.

Read also

This is when ASUU will call-off strike - Good news emerges as body, FG finally agree

IPPIS: ASUU says it won't shift ground for FG, suggests alternative
ASUU has stated that no going back on its position over the adoption of IPPIS. Credit: Daily Trust
Source: UGC

But on Monday, October 12, ASUU said Buhari's statement is just a figment of the federal government's imagination, vowing that there will not be work in the federal schools unless the system is grounded.

Speaking at a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Senate, ASUU national leader Prof Biodun Ogunyemi stated that members of the body would not accept to be dictated to on how they should be paid.

Ogunyemi said ASUU has developed its home-grown system called University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

According to him, this will serve as an alternative to the controversial IPPIS developed by the federal government which he said is foreign to the Nigerian system.

Ogunyemi also declared that universities will not be reopened despite the directives to lift the ban on classes and learning centres.

In his words:

"UTAS is home-grown while IPPIS is foreign. We are talking about local content. We have shown that we are inventors, we are creators of software and we are also capable of doing what our colleagues are doing in other parts of the world.

Read also

EndSARS: PTF to Nigerians, expect spikes in coronavirus infections

"So, Nigerian scholars are not inferior. Why should we be patronising foreigners for what we can do in Nigeria?”

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!

In the same vein, ASUU has called for the minister of state for education, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba's resignation.

The call was made on Tuesday, October 6, by the lecturers' body on the heels of a statement credited to the junior minister in which he told the striking ASUU members to go to farm if they do not want to agree with terms of their employer.

ASUU chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Prof Ayo Akinwole, described the minister's statement as a clear expression of ignorance.

SPECIAL REPORT: Analyzing readiness of schools, teachers, parents ahead of resumption | - on Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Rahaman Abiola avatar

Rahaman Abiola (Editor-in-Chief) Rahaman Abiola is an award-winning journalist and Editor-in-Chief with over 8-year experience. He holds a degree in English & Literature from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (2015). He's a recipient of the Mile Media Award, Kwame Karikari Fellowship. His works have appeared in Punch, The Nation, Tribune, The Cable, Sahara Reporters and others. rahaman.abiola@corp.legit.ng