The Federal Government of Nigeria is currently processing the second payment of backlog-withheld salaries for university staff is currently being processed, relieving many affected employees. This information was disclosed in a news flash on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) Public Servants platform, as seen by 9News Nigeria.
The withheld salaries pertain to arrears accumulated during previous industrial actions by university unions, notably the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The Federal Government had previously withheld these salaries, citing the “No Work, No Pay” policy. However, following negotiations and commitments to address the concerns of the academic community, the government has commenced the release of these funds.
University staff across the nation have begun receiving notifications of the credited amounts, marking a significant step towards resolving longstanding financial disputes between the government and academic institutions. This move is expected to alleviate the financial hardships faced by university employees due to the prolonged withholding of their salaries.
The IPPIS platform, which manages the payment of federal employees, has been instrumental in facilitating this disbursement. The system ensures transparency and accountability in the payment process, addressing previous concerns raised by university unions regarding salary discrepancies and delays.
This payment follows a series of negotiations and discussions between the Federal Government and various university staff unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The government had previously withheld salaries due to the implementation of a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during a prolonged strike that lasted several months. The recent approval by President Bola Tinubu to release these withheld salaries marks a significant step towards addressing the financial grievances of university staff.
In addition to the backlog payments, the government has also announced a 35 percent salary increase for university workers, aimed at improving their financial situation amidst ongoing economic challenges. This increase is expected to take effect alongside the backlog payments, providing further financial relief to university staff who have faced delays in their salaries. According to a report by The Punch newspaper, a total of 2,772 civil servants were verified and forwarded to IPPIS for payment, while efforts were underway to address discrepancies affecting approximately 5,000 workers.
The release of the second tranche of withheld salaries to university staff underscores the government’s commitment to resolving financial disputes with academic institutions and improving the welfare of university employees. University staff are encouraged to monitor their accounts and report any discrepancies to the appropriate authorities to ensure a smooth and complete disbursement process.
Report compiled by Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria – Melbourne, Australia)
