From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Executive Council has called for swift action on its previous decision to remove universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
It has therefore directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume to expedite the implementation of this decision, which was made several months ago.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this via his verified X (former Twitter) handle @aonanuga1956, where he posted the highlights of the council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
The move is aimed at addressing one of the long-standing grievances of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has consistently opposed the use of IPPIS for university staff, citing unique peculiarities in the academic environment that the system fails to accommodate.
Also, the council has also ratified the establishment of a new National University of Science and Technology in Abuja.
The approval for this institution was initially given by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 28, 2023, in 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, potentially boosting the continent’s capacity in these critical fields.
Onanuga said: “ASUU AND IPPIS. The council asked the Secretary of the Government of the Federation to expedite the implementation of the council decision made months ago, separating the universities from the IPPIS platform.
“NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ABUJA
“The Council ratified the anticipatory approval given on 28 May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the university in the Federal Capital. The university is the first of the network of Pan African Institutes of Science and Technology dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.”