The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has called for prompt action on its earlier decision to remove public universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform.
Naija News reports that the Council has instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to expedite the implementation of this decision, made several months ago.
This move aims to address a long-standing grievance of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has consistently opposed the use of IPPIS for university staff salaries.
ASUU argues that the system fails to accommodate the unique peculiarities of the academic environment.
Additionally, the Council has approved the establishment of a new National University of Science and Technology in Abuja. This decision follows an initial approval granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 28, 2023, during the final days of his administration.
The new university is set to be a pioneering institution, marking the first in a planned network of Pan-African Institutes of Science and Technology.
Its primary mission will be to educate and train African scientists and technologists, thereby boosting the continent’s capacity in these critical fields.
The move to exempt universities from IPPIS and the creation of the new university signal significant steps towards resolving long-standing issues within Nigeria’s higher education system
and advancing scientific and technological education in the region.
