Should ASUU give in to IPPIS demands?

The FG’s deadline for ASUU to key into the IPPIS elapsed last month. This decision by the FG is all in a bid to curb payroll fraud. But ASUU on its part has said it will not be part of the IPPIS system. Nigerians share their opinion on the spat between the FG and ASUU. Here’re what Nigerians say about the impasse.

Gloria Chinyere Okwu, 35, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Abuja

I have followed the arguments of each party (ASUU and IPPIS) and as much as I try to understand both concerns, I suggest they join the IPPIS. The main argument for ASUU among other things is the policy negating their autonomy. Nigerian universities autonomy is in question because they do not generate their own revenue and as such may not have the crust to challenge principles and practices that negate their operations. They are tied to the apron strings of the government and have to dance to its tunes. This should be a call to universities to devise means of generating revenue in order to exercise substantial control over their academic matters.

Aminu Halilu Tudunwada, 32, Journalist, Kano

I think the major problem we are facing in this country is self-centred and selfish interest at the detriment of the nation’s progress and development. Most people are not willing or patriotic enough to serve public passionately, with exceptions of a few, ASUU too inclusive with due apology to my teachers.
Although, I do not blame them because they and alongside their medical counterparts are jealous of their political foe. Let them be ambassadors of change as they are the second parents after biological ones, let them consider this first before anything because financially they are better than most of their peers.
If they don’t have skeletons in their cupboard why are they afraid of integrating into IPPIS? In my option they have to sit and map out a plan or negotiate a substantial amount or increment to their academic gallivanting to suit both sides if they don’t want witch-hunting as they have called it, but for me, in line of good governance and development of this nation, not only ASUU need to be enrolled on the IPPIS platform but all other public services should be integrated on IPPIS for the sake of national development.

Princewill I. Felix, 31, Digital Media Practitioner and Social Commentator, Abuja

I have been a proponent of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) full implementation from the beginning for the singular reason that it will eliminate or reduce to a large extent the scorching effects of ghost workers that have depleted the nation’s treasury without recourse. On a second note, the first against corruption cannot be complete without and central and traceable resource distribution be it workers’ salaries or revenue disbursements and this is one of the things IPPIS is promising.

Justin Ugo Amuzie, 30, Consultant, Imo

I believe ASUU should enrol on the IPPIS platform because it would help in checkmating fraud in the university system. There are too many lecturers receiving earnings as permanent lecturers in more than one university yet they do not impact positively on the lives of their students.

If ASUU has any concerns of the FG misusing the IPPIS payment platform, they can state their fears clearly and find common ground with the government, not a total refusal of the payment platform.

Issues of recruitment and staffing of the universities must still be left with the Governing Council of each university and not taken over by the Federal Government.

If all these are agreed upon, ASUU should then embrace the IPPIS payment platform.

Ubabuko Ruth, 31, Businesswoman, Anambra State

I wonder why IPPIS wants to monitor the activities of ASUU. It doesn’t matter if they work in more than two universities. I think ASUU should not give in to their demand because some of these lecturers use some of the money paid to them in other universities to meet up with their family need and pay some family bills. We all know how poorly some of these universities pay. So, if the lecturers decide to work in multiple universities in order to make ends meet, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.
It helps these lecturers when they teach in different places. I say so because as they do this, they are gaining more knowledge. They are exposed to different situations and environments. And this is something that can help them become better lecturers.

Edozie U. S Esq, 27, Legal practitioner, Delta

ASUU is a selfish body that is only interested in developing themselves and their pockets. They obviously do not genuinely care about the welfare of Nigerian students because if they did, they wouldn’t be reluctant to register under IPPIS. But the truth is if they give in to the demands of the IPPIS, there will be lecturers. Lecturers who are not stretched thin among about five universities. There is no way a lecturer who lectures in five universities would be able to give his best to the students. That means he has more scripts to mark, more students to teach and a larger audience than he is used to.  Such lecturer might even fall sick because of the workload.  We have the issue of postponed classes. If ASUU gives into the demands of IPPIS, then that will also reduce.

There will be employment for other people. From a moral standpoint, ASUU should succumb to IPPIS demands. Them giving into the demands will make the association sit uptightly and be diligent in their duties. It will make tertiary education better and then the certificates issued will be worth more than it is right now because the lecturers have time to impact the students more.