The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has stopped the salaries of all lecturers of federal higher institutions who are not enrolled on the the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The OAGF is acting on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue.
The Director IPPIS, OAGF, Dr. Nsikak Ben, communicated the salary stoppage in a letter dated 8th October, 2020 to all the Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities through the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Federal Universities.
Bursar of the universities were also sent a copy of the letter.
The letter reads: “I am directed to inform you that any staff of your institution who has not enrolled on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), either as a result of Study Leave (with pay), Maternity Leave or on Medical ground, will no longer
appear on the IPPIS payroll with effect from November, 2020 payroll except such staff presents himself/herself for the biometric data capture at the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Abuja with an introduction letter/IPPIS Enrollment
forms duly endorsed by the principal authorities of the institution.”
In addition, the letter said; “all supporting documents should include evidence of six months salary bank statement.”
“In view of the above, kindly inform your staff in this category to urgently avail themselves for the biometric data capture at the OAGF.”
“However, exemption may only be given where institutions provide evidence of Study Leave, stating the duration to justify such persons being retained on the payroll” the letter stated.
- Buhari’s position
President Buhari had said on Thursday that only federal staff captured on the IPPIS would get salaries henceforth.
While presenting the 2021 budget proposals to the National Assembly, Buhari said the decision was taken to check the incidence of payments to “non-existent personnel and unauthorized allowances”.
He said: “Personnel cost is still our largest single item of expenditure.
“In the 7 months to 31st July 2020, it accounted for 34 percent of total Federal Government spending and is projected at 33 percent of 2021 expenditure.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities had embarked on an industrial action to protest over IPPIS and other matters.