President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of lecturers from federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). The Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, made this announcement after the Federal Executive Council meeting. Tinubu also directed the removal of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education from the IPPIS service, aiming to enhance the efficiency and autonomy of tertiary institutions.
The President further instructed that federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education would no longer require recruitment waivers from the Head of Service. This exemption is intended to streamline the management of these institutions and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles. Prof. Tahir emphasized that the decision is aimed at addressing challenges and inefficiencies created by the IPPIS system in the recruitment process and overall university operations.
Previously, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in higher institutions had protested their inclusion in the IPPIS platform. They argued that it hindered recruitment processes and created operational difficulties. The exemption from IPPIS is expected to enable universities to operate according to their establishing acts, with additional supervision from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The Minister highlighted that using the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) could further complicate the system, emphasising the need to allow the acts establishing the universities to govern their operations. The Council’s decision is expected to relieve universities of bureaucratic constraints and improve their autonomy for efficient management.
In addition to these directives, the Executive Council approved the development and construction of the Senate building at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Funds were also approved for the National Examination Council (NECO) to facilitate the smooth conduct of its forthcoming exams.