ASUU asks members to shun FG’s data verification

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has directed its members not to participate in the 2019 Personnel Data Verification being organised by the Budget Office of the Federation, describing it as dubious.

The union is kicking against the government’s decision to use the personnel verification exercise to incorporate lecturers into the Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPS).

ASUU President Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, in a letter written to chapter chairmen of the union, a copy of which was made available to newsmen yesterday by the chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Professor Deji Omole, directed members not to fill the personnel verification form.

The letter read in part:“The attention of the leadership of the ASUU has been drawn to a circular from the budget office of the federation directing members of our union to participate in a Personnel Verification Exercise designed for selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies. An item on the FORM requires the supply of “IPPIS no”.

“This suggests that the so-called exercise is a disguised way of bringing back the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System which our Union rejected in the past with informed arguments. All chairpersons are advised against falling into the trap of forceful migration to the IPPIS. All chairpersons are strongly advised to discourage their members from completing the form under reference until the Union review its position on the IPPS.”

Speaking on the directive, Omole said the current IPPIS programme did not accommodate the peculiarities of the job of university lecturers.