The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has reiterated that its members will not enrol on the centralised payroll system of the Federal Government because it invalidates the autonomy of universities.
ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi stated this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan.
He maintained that global practice of university administration is guided by separation of power and distinction from the civil service structure.
According to Ogunyemi, the introduction of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System(IPPIS) would compound the irregular flow of funds to the universities which he said has suffered a significant setback in the last ten years.
He stated that the system is not backed by law and the position of the union is that there are unattended legal issues, negotiated agreements, arising from the nature and peculiarity of Nigerian universities which make the IPPIS unnecessary and inapplicable to the university system.
Ogunyemi told the leadership of the Senate that part of its agreement with the Federal Government on February 7, 2019, was the implementation of the FGN-ASUU 2013 Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), adding that the government agreed that it would release the sum of N25 billion to the universities between April and May as a sign of good faith.
He added that the Federal Government was to resume full implementation of the MoU following the activation of the recommendations of the report of the Stakeholders Workshop on sustainable funding for Education in Nigeria, 27 – 28 November 2018.
The ASUU President, however, expressed his dismay at the introduction of the centralised payrol for universities, adding that the only way to curb corruption is through auditing and not centralised payment.
Speaking, Senate President, Lawan, expressed his disappointment at how the government entered into an agreement with ASUU due to pressure instead of solving the problem.
His words:“I have been part of committee on education since 2005 when I was in the House of Representatives and since I became a senator, I have always been a member of Committee on Education and Tertiary Institutions.
“I know several agreements government entered which they know they cannot enforce. Why would somebody enter agreement you know you cannot implement because of pressure?”Lawan queried.
